Someone to Hold

"Bridgey. What're you doing?" Syd asked, crossing her arms and stopping in the Rec Room doorway. It was quite a sight; Bridge was in the middle of the room, standing on his head, an intense look of concentration on his face. Syd couldn't help but smile a little.

"I'm trying to figure out... how to make an omelette... in my DVD player." He spoke slowly and deliberately, as if each word held some deeper meaning he was trying to relate. Syd just chuckled and walked over to the white leather couch and sat down. Bridge fell forward, tucking his legs under at the last moment, and came to stand upright with flawless precision. It made Syd wonder whether he'd done gymnastics as a kid. Bridge was definitely the weakest fighter of the team, but the most limber, agile, and not to mention the fastest. He could also bend in seemingly unnatural ways, which could actually come in handy during a fight.

"So what's up?" Bridge asked, sitting beside his best friend. He knew nothing was terribly wrong; they'd been best friends for so long, he could read her like a book. And vice-versa. But even though there was nothing horribly wrong, something was definitely bothering her.

"Well... it's just... I think I have a crush on somebody on our team." She spoke the last part in a hushed voice, absently looking around them and leaning in. Bridge was a little surprised. He just couldn't fathom who it was Syd could have a crush on.

"... Who?" Bridge asked just as quietly, a perplexed look crossing his face. Syd looked around once more - Bridge wondered why Syd was so paranoid about the subject - and then mouthed a name to her. One he hadn't expected. She'd mouthed the name 'Jack'. Bridge sat up straight, quite plainly shocked. Syd blushed a little, folding her hands in her lap.

"... Well... I... um..." Bridge wasn't at all sure what to say. Syd was about to say something when a rather loud siren began to blare, followed by flashing red lights. Bridge and Syd looked at each other, nodded, and leapt to their feet, all but running to the door.

"Rangers." Commander Krueger looked at them. He stood tall, hands clasped behind his back. They all stood in a line, in the same manner as he did, staring straight ahead. Without waiting for any kind of answer, he launched into a small speech.

"There's been a recent spike in Krybot activity in the abandoned warehouse district. I want you to figure out why. However, I'm only sending Cadets Carson and Tate. Cadet Carson may be able to pick up something with his psychic abilities, and Cadet Tate is best suited to help him should any Krybots show up." Krueger said, almost monotonously.

"Cadets Landors, Delgado, and Drew will try and gather information from the streets. Alright, Rangers. Move out." Krueger nodded gently. The Rangers all gave the SPD salute and turned to make their way out the door. Jack, Z, and Syd headed one way, Bridge and Sky the other. Bridge cut his eyes over to Sky, who walked on with an emotionless expression.

"Well, Bridge? You gettin' anything?" Sky asked, crossing his arms over his chest and quirking an eyebrow. He'd never had that much faith in Bridge's psychic abilities, other than reading other peoples' strong emotions. Bridge stood quite still, his arms held out in front of him, fingers spread. His whole body was relaxed, his eyes glazed over with a shade of grey. Despite Sky's interruption, Bridge was starting to see forms take shape. Foggy, ethereal at first, but gradually becoming more solid. What he saw were Krybots; and lots of them. They were definitely searching for something, fanning the area and overturning everything that wasn't attached to the ground. His eyebrows furrowed as he saw one of the Krybots pick something up and hold it high. The others seemed to be pleased, and they all left in a very orderly fashion. Bridge lowered his hands and shook his head gently, blinking a few times.

"Okay... well, I have good news and bad news." Bridge said, turning to Sky.

"Okay... good news first, I guess." Sky answered, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Well. The Krybots were here. And I found out what they were looking for." He answered, trying to sound as cheery as possible. Both of Sky's eyebrows were up, now.

"That's good. So what's the bad news?" He asked. He seemed rather pleased; and for some reason, that made Bridge a little sad to have to tell him the bad news. He didn't know why, but it made him feel sort of good inside that he'd pleased Sky. He dismissed the feeling.

"Well... they found it, too. And... they took it with them." Bridge smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. Sky looked a little aggravated; though, not at Bridge. Or so Bridge was hoping. After a moment of silence on both their parts, Sky turned away.

"Well, we have to report to Commander Krueger." And began walking back to the buggy they'd taken. Bridge silently followed, his face a little downcast. And he wasn't sure why. He didn't seem to be sure of any of his feelings, these days. Especially those concerning his friend and teammate, Sky.

Commander Doggie Krueger stood in silence, hands clasped behind his back. His eyes searched the myriad screens before him. He didn't know what he was searching for these days. All he knew was that he was looking for something. Banogg's words still rang with the clarity of a silver bell in his ears. 'There is so much you do not know'. And his SPD Change Notebook had deemed Banogg innocent of the murder of his wife. Was that who he searched the screens for? Was he looking for some sign of his wife?

"Isinia..." The name slipped past his lips on a breath. The very thought of her filled him with both unbridled joy and a sorrow that couldn't possibly be measured. When she'd first disappeared, he'd hurt inside so badly that he honestly thought he would die. All he could think... was that pain that severe could only be followed by death. But he'd survived. And he wasn't sure whether that was entirely good or not. So he did all he could do; stare at the screens before him, and hope against all hope that whatever, or whoever, he was looking for would show up.

Krueger was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't hear the mechanical door slide open, or the footfalls of Bridge and Sky as they entered the Command Room. They came to stand side-by-side, hands behind their backs, heads held up. Sky cleared his throat. Krueger turned around, and was a little surprised, but not disappointed, to see the two of them standing there.

"Commander Krueger. The mission was a success." Sky said, giving a satisfied little grin. Commander Krueger nodded, but didn't smile. He looked to Bridge silently. Bridge cleared his throat and stepped forward, looking straight ahead with grave seriousness.

"I discovered that the Krybots were looking for a discarded Alluvian Crystal. By itself, it's just a pretty rock, basically. But crush it up, and it's the key component in a very powerful nerve gas. However, I don't think it just happened to be there. Alluvian Crystals are formed by unique weather conditions on the planet Alluve, in the same star system as KO-35. Even on their home planet, they're really rare. I believe it was planted there. I mean... really, who just happens to be carrying one of those through an abandoned warehouse district?" Bridge was beginning to sweat after delivering that long speech. Not that it was hard to talk or anything, but he just realized what Gruumm wanted it for. Obviously he was going to make the never gas.

"Hm. This is troubling news, indeed. Alright. You two are dismissed. It's getting late. We'll pick up the case tomorrow." Krueger turned back to the screens, more downcast than before. He was getting too old to be doing this. At least, he thought so. Sky and Bridge both saluted, and left the Command Center. Bridge headed towards the room he shared with Sky, and Sky turned the opposite direction.

"Bridge. You in here?" Sky asked before the mechanical door had even opened all the way. He was. Bridge stood in the middle of the room, looking into a full-body mirror on the wall next to the closet. He was just finishing buttoning up the two-sizes-too-big white-with-blue-pin-stripes shirt. He turned and looked at Sky. He was dressed in civilian clothes; the aforementioned shirt, and a pair of blue jeans that were also a few sizes too big, with faded patches down the front and back of the legs. The collar of the shirt was turned up, and a florescent orange tie was tied directly around his neck.

"I believe so." Bridge answered, turning back to the mirror. He was trying to get the tie centered just right. He didn't see Sky come up behind him, and jumped a little as Sky's arms slid up under his own. Sky's face appeared over Bridge's shoulder as he straightened the tie. He then took his arms back and gave Bridge's shoulder a pat.

"I was just about to go to dinner. I don't feel like eating alone tonight. Wanna go?" He asked, walking over to the closet they shared and opening it. Even before Bridge answered, Sky was already taking his uniform top off. A light blush dusted across Bridge's cheeks as he looked at Sky's exposed upper body. Sky was built more than Bridge, who was toned but lithe. Bridge noted with an curiosity that confused him that Sky's chest and stomach had short, fine black hairs covering them. He looked away quickly, and pretended to be very interested in something on his nightstand. He cleared his throat, and hoped he didn't sound too nervous.

"Sure. I was just about to go out and eat, myself." He dared a peek back towards his roommate. Sky was fully dressed now. He wore a pair of black jeans and a blue T-shirt, with an open white Oxford shirt over it, cuffs buttoned and turned up. He smiled, and grabbed his wallet off his nightstand. Slipping it in his back pocket, he looked back to Bridge.

"So. Where should we eat?" He asked, clapping his hands together and licking his lips. Bridge couldn't understand why his stomach was turning back flips. He absently laid a hand across his navel before answering.

"What about that Italian restaurant a few blocks over?" He suggested, feigning normality.

"Sounds good. Let's go. We'll take the jeep." And with that, Sky walked out of the room. Bridge shook his head gently to clear his thoughts and followed.

"I'll have a beer. What about you, Bridge?" Sky asked. Bridge looked up from the menu.

"Ah... water for me, thanks." Bridge smiled at the young girl taking their order. She informed them that she'd be right out with their drinks, and then left.

"... I thought you were only twenty, Sky?" Bridge said, his eyes blinking in confusion.

"... Can you keep a secret, Bridge?" Sky asked, the beginnings of a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. Bridge nodded, and Sky beckoned him closer. Bridge leaned across the table and met Sky half way.

"Today is my twenty-first birthday." Sky said, that smile finally finding the strength to pull itself across his face. Bridge was genuinely shocked. He sat back, hands folded in his lap.

"Wow. I had no idea. I would've gotten you a little something..." He started, and then wondered frantically whether or not it was appropriate for guys to pick their guy friends up little presents on their birthday. He decided that it was. Sky chuckled a little.

"Nah. I don't make big deals out of birthdays, really. At least, not my own. My dad was always very militaristic, so we didn't really celebrate birthdays growing up. I mean, I always got a cake and a little toy or something. Or as I got older, CD's or DVD's or whatever. But I never really had parties or anything." Sky finished quickly as the waitress set the beer down in front of him. She asked if they were ready to order. They were.

"I think I'll have the Portabella Sirloin." Sky told the waitress, handing his menu to her.

"And for you, sir?" She asked, turning to Bridge.

"I'll have the Seafood Alfredo." He smiled, handing her the menu. She told them it'd be just a few minutes 'til their food came out. They didn't mind. After the waitress left, Bridge took a drink of his water, watching to see if Sky would take a drink of his beer. He did.

"Huh. It really does taste like piss." He said, grinning at Bridge. He returned the grin. Despite his complaint of its taste, Sky took another swig of it. Bridge kind of wanted to try it for himself, but knew better than to ask. Sky might be warming up to him a little after all this time, but he was still a by-the-book kind of guy. Bridge was only seventeen. There's no way Sky'd give alcohol to a minor.

"Bridge?" Sky asked, waving his hand in front of Bridge's face.

"Huh? Oh. Sorry. What'd you say?" He asked apologetically.

"I said; you and Syd spend a lot of time together. I know you guys're best friends, but are you... y'know. Dating?" Sky asked sheepishly, taking another drink of his beer.

"No. We're just friends." Bridge answered honestly, sipping his water.

"Oh, good. So you won't mind if I ask her on a date?" Sky asked, leaning forward. Bridge nearly choked on his water. He set his glass down slowly, and wiped his mouth with his napkin. Though he wasn't entirely sure as to why, his heart sank a little lower in his chest.

End Chapter 1