Chapter One – Losing Grip

Kendrix: KAO owns nothing, but the idea!

Karone: This fic takes place during the ‘Shadow’ episodes.

Maya: The boys are a little tied up for the moment!

Leo: Not me! We hope you like Sky and Z, Cruger and Kat, and Syd and Jack.

Karone: I’m trying to get her to make different couples, minus those couples.

Kendrix: Anyways, we hope you enjoy this story. Later!

Why should I care?

Cause you weren’t there

When I was scare

I was so alone

You, you need to listen

I’m startin’ to trip

I’m losin’ my grip

And I’m in this thing alone

‘Losing Grip’ – Avril Lavigne

            Kat stormed out of SPD, crying.

            “Why doesn’t he get it?” she asked herself inside as she walked through the streets of Blue Bay Harbor. “We’re all friends . . . no! Family! The one guy a girl can finally love and she has to just become pissed at him!” She hadn’t realized she had screamed the last part, until it echoed through out Blue Bay without end.     

            Rain poured down upon her and she started crying, looking up into the sky when everyone else ran inside from the thunder that crashed and lightening that flashed. Kat spun in a circle, running her hands through her curly brown hair.

            She loved the rain. Water may have been a cat’s worst enemy, but she was the only cat that loved rain. On her home planet, she would dance in the rain by herself when others would run inside.

            Lightening hit the ground next to her, but she didn’t care. She didn’t care if she died. She wanted to die. She needed to die.

            Kat stood on a bench on the sidewalk.

            “Lord, take me now!” Kat screamed to the heavens. Kat wasn’t very religious, but at Christmas Sky and Sydney had the habit of telling the story of Jesus’ birth and Kat had somewhat believed it by now. “PLEASE!?” Lightening hit her and she fell backwards onto the pavement of the street.

            Z and Sky walked the streets of Blue Bay together, looking for Kat.

            Z spun in a circle and took Sky’s hand in hers, making him spin her into his chest. She smiled at him genuinely and he smiled back genuinely, getting lost in the mess of brown orbs with yellow flakes near her pupils. She slowly closed the gap between them and led him to both of their first kiss. She pulled away, when she realized they were both laboring on their breathing. She sighed heavily.

            “Z, I . . .” Sky started, but Z cut him off with another kiss. Sky held her closer, slipping his tongue in her mouth, exploring her mouth as she did his. She let a moan out of the corner of her mouth. He pulled away from her slowly. She frowned.

            “What’s wrong?” she asked.

            “We have to find Kat,” Sky said.

            “You’re always about duty,” Z fumed.

            “Actually, I want the girl of my dreams to live and if we don’t get this job done, that won’t happen,” Sky said, walking ahead of her.

            “Ohhhh . . . Wait! Did you say girl of your dreams?” she asked.

            “Um-hum,” he nodded. She followed him, taking his hand in hers. He jolted her to his side and they looked for Kat.

            “Are I really?” Z asked, breaking the wonderful silence.

            “Yup!” Sky replied, kissing her cheek.

            “PLEASE!?” they heard a scream.

            Sky looked at Z.

            “I swear we’ll finish this when we get back to the academy, Z,” Sky promised. Z nodded in agreement. The two ran to the area they heard the shout come from.

            On the ground lay a female, bleeding to death and black ash on her. Sky turned her around to try and identify her.

            “Kat?” he said. “Z called Commander and the others.”

            “Right on it,” she nodded, taking out her morpher. “Commander. We have a problem.”

            “Have you found anything yet?” Cruger asked the rangers, minus Sky and Z, who were still out looking for their beloved Dr. Manix.

            “Nothing yet, Sir,” Jack confirmed.

            “Well, find something! Who knows what could have happened to her!” Cruger exclaimed.

            “We’re working on it, Sir,” Syd said.

            “Work harder!” Cruger yelled.

            “You know what!” Bridge shouted, standing up. “You aren’t the only one who cares for Kat . . . er . . . Dr. Manix! We love and care for her just as much as you do! So just quit acting like you’re the only one who does!”

            “Cadet Carson, I will not take shit from you!” Cruger said.

            “Commander. We have a problem,” Z said.

            Z and Sky loaded Kat into the back of the jeep Jack and Syd drove to the park. Jack and Syd had argued nonstop for days, but now, when Z was crying and Sky was stressed, they needed to pull their heads on and become sweet, helping the two other rangers.

            Syd took Z into her arms and held her.

            “I know, Mama, I know,” Syd comforted the younger girl. Z had always acted older Syd, but times like this was when she needed to be younger and let Syd be her older sister. Syd brushed the curls away from Z’s face. She cupped Z’s face in her hand. “Are we good, Mama?” Z nodded. Syd wiped her tears. “Good.” Z shook her head no and sobbed. Syd pulled her close again, not caring that her new two hundred dollar custom made shirt was now covered in Z’s tears and snot. Syd scooped Z in her arms and got in the jeep.

            “You okay, man?” Jack asked, clapping Sky lightly on the shoulder.

            “Look at her,” Sky said.

            “I know, Kat’s not looking so well,” Jack agreed.

            “No, not Kat! Z! She’s upset and I can’t help her feel better. I’m such a jackass and a worthless friend!” Sky exclaimed.

            “Sometimes you’re a bit of a jackass, but you’re not a worthless friend. Sky, I think Syd’s got Z under control right now. I’ll drive us back and let you rest in the polite seat,” Jack said. The two got in the car and drove off.

            “I’m a worthless boyfriend,” Sky said under his breath to himself.

            Syd helped Z to their room, Sky on her heals. She set the brunette girl on her bed and left her to sleep.

            “Sky, let Z sleep,” Syd said.