Bright Skies (Multi - Season Crossover/Power Rangers, prompt #59: Keeping It Secret, T)
The original plan was to be ready for work by now. -Glances at the clock- Damn PlotBunnnies.
Author/: Tsukino Akume
Fandom/: Power Rangers Time Force moving into S.P.D., multiple Rangers from each season
Characters/: Wes (Time Force), multiple Rangers from other teams (Literally too many to list)
Pairings/: Post - Wes/Eric, Rocky/Adam, Shane/Dustin, Hunter/Cam, Carter/Dana, Andros/Ashley, Zhane/Karone, Carlos/Ronny, Jason/Taylor, Conner/Ethan, Justin/Rose, Tommy/Kimberly, Tyzonn/Mack, Cassie/OC, Nick/Maddison, Zack/Aisha, Trent/Kira, Post - Billy/Cestria. Future Ryan/Carter and Billy/Hayley. More couples will most likely be mentioned, but not shown.
prompt/: #59: Keeping It Secret
Rating/: T (For non - graphic mentions of people having babies and being violent with one another)
Disclaimer/: I don't own the Power Rangers, but if Disney's hiring any new writers I volunteer.
Summary/: When Wes' life starts to fall apart, an accident gives him a chance at a fresh start in New Tech City, with Space Patrol Delta. But even a new life has its ups and downs - and weird friends. Meanwhile, Eric tries to move on.
Warnings/: A mentally handicapped person living in a medical facility, angst, male and female slash, non-cemented couples (In otherwords, pairings that will be separated), children created by scientific means, character death
Author's Notes/: At the end of Beginnings, I’ve realized Sky had a *really* bad day. So, I made him live up to Eric’s nickname for him. Oops? c.c;;
"Someone want to explain to me why we've all been called in here?" Tommy asked, folding his arms and leaning back against a console.
Zack pointed at Wes. "Ask him. This is his party."
Wes sighed, taking a moment to think. He'd called all of the former Rangers, Vanessa, and Nerina to the War Room, warning them there was no excuse for not showing up. The kids had just returned from their battle; A Squad had gone out on the town for a break, Sky, Bridge, and Syd were on downtime, and Jack and Z were cleaning windows. It was time to tell them what he knew.
"Z Delgado is Elizabeth," he said abruptly. "I'm sure of it. You can try a DNA test if you want, but I know she is. And if Z is Elizabeth, then I'm pretty sure Jack is really Jaz."
There was a long, heavy silence.
"So what do we do about it?" Tommy asked finally.
"We can't exactly send them home to their parents," Jason pointed out wryly. "They're Rangers now. We need them here."
"But they don't know about their parents yet," Ashley protested. She paused. "Do they?"
Taylor shook her head. "Danny said they showed up at different times, at different ages. He's had Z since for about seven years, and Jack for only about three and a half. They didn't even know each other until they met at his place. Whatever happened to separate them, they don't remember it. I think it's safe to say they don't remember who they are, either."
"But they remember their names," Rocky argued.
"First names," Billy corrected. "It is entirely feasible that while they were able to retain the knowledge of their singular names, due to the traumatic experiences that took place, they may have forgotten everything else that they had previously known. In addition to that, they were only six and seven years old when the incident occurred."
"That's right ... " Karone murmured. "Jack's profile has his presumed age at seventeen."
Tommy looked at Aisha and Ashley. "What do you two think?"
"Medically, I can't say I recommend telling them right away," Aisha said slowly. "It could send them into shock, or frighten them into running. I don't think we should keep it from them forever, just ... not yet."
Ashley nodded in agreement, looking troubled. "Once they have a better sense of stability here, it wouldn't be quite so terrible."
"What about their parents?" Kimberly asked quietly. "Should we keep this from them?"
There was a long, awkward silence.
"Which is more cruel?" Eric asked finally. "Telling them their kids are alive, but they can't see them yet, or letting them find out later that we've known they're alive, but didn't say anything?"
Ashley let out a slow, shaky breath. "I'll tell them," she said quietly. "I'll ... I'll ask them not to approach them yet, but - " She cut herself off, sounding pained. They were talking about the children of two of her best friends, after all.
"Do you really think Rose can stay away?" Taylor asked pointedly.
"Cruel to be kind," Adam muttered under his breath.
Ashley shook her head. "They have a right to know," she insisted, not sounding sure of herself at all.
Andros reached out to squeeze her hand, but he looked at them all solemnly. "There's something else we have to consider. Do we tell the kids?"
Another awkward silence lingered, and Wes could feel the eyes on him. Elizabeth had been *his* son's best friend. Should he torture Sky by letting him know? Or should he hope he just wouldn't figure it out on his own?
He bowed his head for a moment. "I think we should tell them, but ask them not to say anything yet," he said at last. He looked up again at Eric and Vanessa. "What about you guys?"
Vanessa made an annoyed sound. "I think we're screwed no matter what we decide," she grumbled.
Eric humphed. "Miracles never cease. We actually agree on something."
Wes looked at them oddly, wondering what had brought that on. He'd never seen any issues between them. They got along better than he'd ever expected they would.
The two stared at each other for a moment. "Do it," Eric said abruptly. "He'll never forgive us if we don't."
Vanessa hesitated. "I ... Yeah. Tell them."
Jason raised his radio. "Sergeant Scott to B Squad. Cadets Carson, Drew, and Tate, report to the War room. *Now*."
He blinked at them all when they stared at him for the serious tone and shrugged. "Syd won't stop to fix her hair if she thinks it's an emergency," he pointed out.
"She's not that bad," Ryan protested.
Carter snorted. "Only in your eyes."
The door slid open, and the three cadets hurried inside. "Sir!" they chorused, sliding swiftly into a salute.
Jason waved a hand vaguely. "At ease. Find a seat."
They all eyed him warily. "What’s the emergency, Sir?" Sky asked suspiciously.
Jason gave him a pointed look. "The emergency is that you're being brought into a very important meeting. Sit down."
"Sir, yes Sir," Sky grumbled, finding a place between Eric and his mom. His posture remained painfully straight, and he radiated annoyance.
Bridge and Syd seemed to relax in an instant. Syd happily planted herself in Ryan's lap, while Bridge sat cross-legged on the floor beside Rocky. He glanced around the room, frowned, and started to shift slightly.
Rocky caught his hand, shaking his head. "Don't bother. We'll tell you what's going on," he promised him softly.
Bridge studied him for a moment. "Should I stand on my head?"
Rocky tussled his hair. "Not yet. You can if you want after we're done."
Bridge nodded, shrugged, and looked up at them all curiously.
The adults in the room looked at one another, silently debating who had to be the one to break the news to them. Wes sighed, knowing he was going to find himself elected at some point anyway, and nodded his head.
He could feel Sky's intense gaze on him. "This is about Jack and Z, isn't it?" Sky asked abruptly.
Wes glanced over at him. "You already know what I'm going to say?"
Sky shrugged carelessly. "That Z is Elizabeth Stewart-Ortiz, the missing child of Justin Stewart and Rose Stewart-Ortiz. And Jack is most likely Jackson Zhane 'Jaz' Johnson, the son of T.J. and Litania Johnson."
Eric smacked the back of Sky's head without warning, just hard enough to make him flinch. "Knock that off," he warned him.
Sky scowled, sighed, and muttered "Sorry, Dad."
Wes looked at him for a moment. He knew Sky wasn't exactly being rude just for the sake of being mean. Today had shaken him up, in several ways, and he didn't know how to deal with it. So instead, he settled for being callous and acting, quite frankly, like a jerk. Something he’d frustratingly enough, picked up from Eric.
"Wait ... " Syd spoke up slowly, sounding puzzled. "You mean Jack and Z are Ranger kids, too?"
"That's right," Ryan told her, playing absently with her hair. "You probably don't remember Elizabeth very well - you were only six when she disappeared. And you didn't get to see Jaz all that often."
She frowned, snuggling under Ryan's chin. "I think ... I remember something. It was before ... before all the bad stuff happened, right? When we had to see that icky Dr. Felix, who smelled like cat food?"
Ryan kissed the top of her head. "That's right."
"If he's a cat-based species, does that mean he really smells like cat food?" Bridge pondered absently. "Or does he just smell like food? Does he think we smell like human food?"
"Bridge," Adam interrupted gently.
Bridge blinked, looking up at them all. "Hmm? Oh. Well, if you want to know what I think, I'd think it's obvious who they are. I mean, they have special abilities just like us, and it's not like their auras have changed that much - "
"You remember what their auras used to look like?" Rocky asked, frowning down at him.
Bridge blinked again, and Wes noted the way his body temperature rose slightly. "Sure. Why wouldn't I? I mean, we spent all that time with Elizabeth and - "
"*Bridge*." Adam's tone was short and sharper than Wes had ever heart him use with Bridge. He stared down at his son.
Bridge flinched slightly, swallowed and trying not to squirm. "Well, I, um ... They seemed really familiar. 'Cause you know how everyone's aura is unique and - "
"Bridge." This time Rocky's tone was gentle, and he leaned down to look the teen in the eyes. "You were imprinting even back then, weren't you? That's how you knew."
Bridge nodded slowly, looking down guiltily. "It wasn't ... it's not like it was a big deal, or anything ... " he murmured uncomfortably.
"Yeah, Power forbid Bridge actually admit when something's *wrong*," Sky snipped.
"Sky!" Syd snapped. "Don't pick on Bridge!"
Bridge raised a hand. "No offense, Syd? But I can fight my own battles."
"*Hey!*" Jason bellowed.
All three teens froze.
"We called you three in here to let you know what's going on, and you're acting like children," Jason lectured.
Bridge held up a finger. "Technically, we *are* children," he pointed out.
"Bridge ... " Jason warned, rubbing his temples.
"Sorry, Sir."
Wes sighed. "We brought you three in here because we wanted you to know that yes, Jack and Z are Jaz and Elizabeth. But you can't tell them that yet. We're going to wait until they're a little better adjusted, and then break the news to them."
"So we're going to lure them into a false sense of security, and then shatter all of their illusions. Brilliant," Sky said sarcastically.
Eric smacked him upside the head again, just as Wes and Vanessa both snapped "Sky!"
Sky stood, shoving his chair in angrily. "Whatever. Are we dismissed, Sir?" he asked, looking directly at Jason.
Jason scowled back at him. "Yeah, Sky. Get lost. And come back when you've got a better attitude."
Syd opened her mouth to say something, but Ryan hushed her.
"Whatever," Sky growled, storming out of the room.
"He's hurt," Bridge spoke up suddenly, looking thoughtful. "He doesn't know what he did wrong."
"Baby, it's rude to read into other people's emotions without permission, *especially* when you tell other people about it. You know that," Aisha reprimanded.
Wes sighed, pushing himself to his feet. "I'll talk to him."
He paused in the doorway to glance back at Bridge and Syd. "I'm serious, guys. Don't tell them yet. We will, just not ... yet. We don't want to scare them away."
Bridge nodded solemnly. "I understand, Uncle Wes."
"Are you sure we can't scare Z away? Or maybe at least to another room?" Syd asked hopefully.
He shook his head, letting the door slide shut behind him. Jason had his work cut out for him, and he didn't begrudge him that one bit.
Author/: Tsukino Akume
Fandom/: Power Rangers Time Force moving into S.P.D., multiple Rangers from each season
Characters/: Wes (Time Force), multiple Rangers from other teams (Literally too many to list)
Pairings/: Post - Wes/Eric, Rocky/Adam, Shane/Dustin, Hunter/Cam, Carter/Dana, Andros/Ashley, Zhane/Karone, Carlos/Ronny, Jason/Taylor, Conner/Ethan, Justin/Rose, Tommy/Kimberly, Tyzonn/Mack, Cassie/OC, Nick/Maddison, Zack/Aisha, Trent/Kira, Post - Billy/Cestria. Future Ryan/Carter and Billy/Hayley. More couples will most likely be mentioned, but not shown.
prompt/: #59: Keeping It Secret
Rating/: T (For non - graphic mentions of people having babies and being violent with one another)
Disclaimer/: I don't own the Power Rangers, but if Disney's hiring any new writers I volunteer.
Summary/: When Wes' life starts to fall apart, an accident gives him a chance at a fresh start in New Tech City, with Space Patrol Delta. But even a new life has its ups and downs - and weird friends. Meanwhile, Eric tries to move on.
Warnings/: A mentally handicapped person living in a medical facility, angst, male and female slash, non-cemented couples (In otherwords, pairings that will be separated), children created by scientific means, character death
Author's Notes/: At the end of Beginnings, I’ve realized Sky had a *really* bad day. So, I made him live up to Eric’s nickname for him. Oops? c.c;;
"Someone want to explain to me why we've all been called in here?" Tommy asked, folding his arms and leaning back against a console.
Zack pointed at Wes. "Ask him. This is his party."
Wes sighed, taking a moment to think. He'd called all of the former Rangers, Vanessa, and Nerina to the War Room, warning them there was no excuse for not showing up. The kids had just returned from their battle; A Squad had gone out on the town for a break, Sky, Bridge, and Syd were on downtime, and Jack and Z were cleaning windows. It was time to tell them what he knew.
"Z Delgado is Elizabeth," he said abruptly. "I'm sure of it. You can try a DNA test if you want, but I know she is. And if Z is Elizabeth, then I'm pretty sure Jack is really Jaz."
There was a long, heavy silence.
"So what do we do about it?" Tommy asked finally.
"We can't exactly send them home to their parents," Jason pointed out wryly. "They're Rangers now. We need them here."
"But they don't know about their parents yet," Ashley protested. She paused. "Do they?"
Taylor shook her head. "Danny said they showed up at different times, at different ages. He's had Z since for about seven years, and Jack for only about three and a half. They didn't even know each other until they met at his place. Whatever happened to separate them, they don't remember it. I think it's safe to say they don't remember who they are, either."
"But they remember their names," Rocky argued.
"First names," Billy corrected. "It is entirely feasible that while they were able to retain the knowledge of their singular names, due to the traumatic experiences that took place, they may have forgotten everything else that they had previously known. In addition to that, they were only six and seven years old when the incident occurred."
"That's right ... " Karone murmured. "Jack's profile has his presumed age at seventeen."
Tommy looked at Aisha and Ashley. "What do you two think?"
"Medically, I can't say I recommend telling them right away," Aisha said slowly. "It could send them into shock, or frighten them into running. I don't think we should keep it from them forever, just ... not yet."
Ashley nodded in agreement, looking troubled. "Once they have a better sense of stability here, it wouldn't be quite so terrible."
"What about their parents?" Kimberly asked quietly. "Should we keep this from them?"
There was a long, awkward silence.
"Which is more cruel?" Eric asked finally. "Telling them their kids are alive, but they can't see them yet, or letting them find out later that we've known they're alive, but didn't say anything?"
Ashley let out a slow, shaky breath. "I'll tell them," she said quietly. "I'll ... I'll ask them not to approach them yet, but - " She cut herself off, sounding pained. They were talking about the children of two of her best friends, after all.
"Do you really think Rose can stay away?" Taylor asked pointedly.
"Cruel to be kind," Adam muttered under his breath.
Ashley shook her head. "They have a right to know," she insisted, not sounding sure of herself at all.
Andros reached out to squeeze her hand, but he looked at them all solemnly. "There's something else we have to consider. Do we tell the kids?"
Another awkward silence lingered, and Wes could feel the eyes on him. Elizabeth had been *his* son's best friend. Should he torture Sky by letting him know? Or should he hope he just wouldn't figure it out on his own?
He bowed his head for a moment. "I think we should tell them, but ask them not to say anything yet," he said at last. He looked up again at Eric and Vanessa. "What about you guys?"
Vanessa made an annoyed sound. "I think we're screwed no matter what we decide," she grumbled.
Eric humphed. "Miracles never cease. We actually agree on something."
Wes looked at them oddly, wondering what had brought that on. He'd never seen any issues between them. They got along better than he'd ever expected they would.
The two stared at each other for a moment. "Do it," Eric said abruptly. "He'll never forgive us if we don't."
Vanessa hesitated. "I ... Yeah. Tell them."
Jason raised his radio. "Sergeant Scott to B Squad. Cadets Carson, Drew, and Tate, report to the War room. *Now*."
He blinked at them all when they stared at him for the serious tone and shrugged. "Syd won't stop to fix her hair if she thinks it's an emergency," he pointed out.
"She's not that bad," Ryan protested.
Carter snorted. "Only in your eyes."
The door slid open, and the three cadets hurried inside. "Sir!" they chorused, sliding swiftly into a salute.
Jason waved a hand vaguely. "At ease. Find a seat."
They all eyed him warily. "What’s the emergency, Sir?" Sky asked suspiciously.
Jason gave him a pointed look. "The emergency is that you're being brought into a very important meeting. Sit down."
"Sir, yes Sir," Sky grumbled, finding a place between Eric and his mom. His posture remained painfully straight, and he radiated annoyance.
Bridge and Syd seemed to relax in an instant. Syd happily planted herself in Ryan's lap, while Bridge sat cross-legged on the floor beside Rocky. He glanced around the room, frowned, and started to shift slightly.
Rocky caught his hand, shaking his head. "Don't bother. We'll tell you what's going on," he promised him softly.
Bridge studied him for a moment. "Should I stand on my head?"
Rocky tussled his hair. "Not yet. You can if you want after we're done."
Bridge nodded, shrugged, and looked up at them all curiously.
The adults in the room looked at one another, silently debating who had to be the one to break the news to them. Wes sighed, knowing he was going to find himself elected at some point anyway, and nodded his head.
He could feel Sky's intense gaze on him. "This is about Jack and Z, isn't it?" Sky asked abruptly.
Wes glanced over at him. "You already know what I'm going to say?"
Sky shrugged carelessly. "That Z is Elizabeth Stewart-Ortiz, the missing child of Justin Stewart and Rose Stewart-Ortiz. And Jack is most likely Jackson Zhane 'Jaz' Johnson, the son of T.J. and Litania Johnson."
Eric smacked the back of Sky's head without warning, just hard enough to make him flinch. "Knock that off," he warned him.
Sky scowled, sighed, and muttered "Sorry, Dad."
Wes looked at him for a moment. He knew Sky wasn't exactly being rude just for the sake of being mean. Today had shaken him up, in several ways, and he didn't know how to deal with it. So instead, he settled for being callous and acting, quite frankly, like a jerk. Something he’d frustratingly enough, picked up from Eric.
"Wait ... " Syd spoke up slowly, sounding puzzled. "You mean Jack and Z are Ranger kids, too?"
"That's right," Ryan told her, playing absently with her hair. "You probably don't remember Elizabeth very well - you were only six when she disappeared. And you didn't get to see Jaz all that often."
She frowned, snuggling under Ryan's chin. "I think ... I remember something. It was before ... before all the bad stuff happened, right? When we had to see that icky Dr. Felix, who smelled like cat food?"
Ryan kissed the top of her head. "That's right."
"If he's a cat-based species, does that mean he really smells like cat food?" Bridge pondered absently. "Or does he just smell like food? Does he think we smell like human food?"
"Bridge," Adam interrupted gently.
Bridge blinked, looking up at them all. "Hmm? Oh. Well, if you want to know what I think, I'd think it's obvious who they are. I mean, they have special abilities just like us, and it's not like their auras have changed that much - "
"You remember what their auras used to look like?" Rocky asked, frowning down at him.
Bridge blinked again, and Wes noted the way his body temperature rose slightly. "Sure. Why wouldn't I? I mean, we spent all that time with Elizabeth and - "
"*Bridge*." Adam's tone was short and sharper than Wes had ever heart him use with Bridge. He stared down at his son.
Bridge flinched slightly, swallowed and trying not to squirm. "Well, I, um ... They seemed really familiar. 'Cause you know how everyone's aura is unique and - "
"Bridge." This time Rocky's tone was gentle, and he leaned down to look the teen in the eyes. "You were imprinting even back then, weren't you? That's how you knew."
Bridge nodded slowly, looking down guiltily. "It wasn't ... it's not like it was a big deal, or anything ... " he murmured uncomfortably.
"Yeah, Power forbid Bridge actually admit when something's *wrong*," Sky snipped.
"Sky!" Syd snapped. "Don't pick on Bridge!"
Bridge raised a hand. "No offense, Syd? But I can fight my own battles."
"*Hey!*" Jason bellowed.
All three teens froze.
"We called you three in here to let you know what's going on, and you're acting like children," Jason lectured.
Bridge held up a finger. "Technically, we *are* children," he pointed out.
"Bridge ... " Jason warned, rubbing his temples.
"Sorry, Sir."
Wes sighed. "We brought you three in here because we wanted you to know that yes, Jack and Z are Jaz and Elizabeth. But you can't tell them that yet. We're going to wait until they're a little better adjusted, and then break the news to them."
"So we're going to lure them into a false sense of security, and then shatter all of their illusions. Brilliant," Sky said sarcastically.
Eric smacked him upside the head again, just as Wes and Vanessa both snapped "Sky!"
Sky stood, shoving his chair in angrily. "Whatever. Are we dismissed, Sir?" he asked, looking directly at Jason.
Jason scowled back at him. "Yeah, Sky. Get lost. And come back when you've got a better attitude."
Syd opened her mouth to say something, but Ryan hushed her.
"Whatever," Sky growled, storming out of the room.
"He's hurt," Bridge spoke up suddenly, looking thoughtful. "He doesn't know what he did wrong."
"Baby, it's rude to read into other people's emotions without permission, *especially* when you tell other people about it. You know that," Aisha reprimanded.
Wes sighed, pushing himself to his feet. "I'll talk to him."
He paused in the doorway to glance back at Bridge and Syd. "I'm serious, guys. Don't tell them yet. We will, just not ... yet. We don't want to scare them away."
Bridge nodded solemnly. "I understand, Uncle Wes."
"Are you sure we can't scare Z away? Or maybe at least to another room?" Syd asked hopefully.
He shook his head, letting the door slide shut behind him. Jason had his work cut out for him, and he didn't begrudge him that one bit.