Conner faced his usual dilemma after soccer practice. Shower here and hang out at Hayley's or shower at home, have dinner, and then go to Hayley's. If you had told him a year ago, that Hayley's would be his refuge from the stress of high-school life, he would've said, "What's an internet cafe?" Even when he was a ranger, he would only go if he was sure the others would be there too. However, this year he ventured out on his own. He now felt comfortable with the computer geeks, an alien to their world, but accepted by them nevertheless. Of course, it also helped that Kirsty was so cute and flirted with him excessively. He could tell that she didn't take the flirting seriously, and that just made it all the more fun.

Not every day was a flirting day. When Kira and Ethan were there, he kept to his crew. He enjoyed their company more than anyone else's and wanted to take advantage of their limited time together before they went their separate ways next year. Conner also knew that if he spent too much time with Kirsty or his other casual acquaintances, he would tire of them. Keeping his worlds separate kept him balanced.

Today was a Wednesday, when Kira had rehearsal and when Ethan taught computer literacy to underprivileged children or illiterate adults or whoever it was. Conner usually looked forward to his alternative social scene on Wednesdays, but today was different. Trent was back, and Conner had missed him. Over the summer, they had bonded, playing soccer together, going to concerts, hanging out all the time. Trent had even taught Conner some drawing techniques, which Conner used to get through boring classes and assemblies. He was eternally grateful for his new vice and wanted to show Trent his doodles and sketches. Of course, Kira had taken up most of Trent's time since he'd been back, so Conner hoped to sneak in some male-bonding while she was otherwise busy. Today was to be a locker-room shower day.

After booking it to Hayley's, Conner was greeted by no one. No Trent, no flirty Kirsty, no grimacing Alice. Behind the counter was only empty space, so instead of taking his usual seat at the bar, Conner moved some stools out of the way to make room and started dribbling the ball on his knees.

"Hey!" Alice's well-timed bark startled him and caused him to lose concentration. Luckily he had enough motor control to keep the ball from flying across the cafe and to direct it to the ground. The ball still got away from him and rolled under the stools.

"Look, King Jock. Leave the soccer at the door." Alice was secretly impressed with his ball-handling skills, but she would never outright admit it. She'd rather subtly compliment him as she antagonized him. That was the most fun. Besides, in this case it was her job. Hayley would probably take the ball away, although she'd do it with a lighter touch.

Conner growled as he retrieved the ball with his left foot. He wasn't sorry. This was Hayley's and Hayley understood that students needed their diversions. Ok, so maybe Hayley wouldn't have been so pleased. But he was not a novice player; he knew his limits. He faced Alice defiantly, with the ball between his feet. He continued to tap it, but very quietly so she wouldn't notice. "What's your problem?" he challenged.

"Mrs. Brady always says not to play ball in the house," she said sternly as if it was a perfectly normal thing to say. Conner got the reference, but couldn't tell if she was joking with him or laughing at him.

"Where's Trent?" He asked bluntly, hoping that his friend would appear soon.

"Kirsty and him are unloading a shipment." She laughed to herself, but Conner had no idea why. There were times he thought she was crazy, but she was too self-composed to be really insane. She just was a calculating bitch for no reason.

"It's funny, but I don't see Kirsty doing that. It doesn't seem to be her thing." Conner avoided eye contact. He had no idea how Alice felt about Kirsty and didn't want to incur more wrath.

"The regular guy is sick, and Kirsty lost the coin toss." Alice shrugged, continuing to smile at the mental image of Kirsty lifting heavy boxes. Anyone would think it was funny, but she had a special soft spot for torturing the girl. She had actually cheated on the coin toss.

Conner was overwhelmed with the awkwardness of being alone with Alice. Everyone at the cafe seemed to be glued to a computer screen or a book and didn't feel like playing games. There was no obvious escape. He decided to stare at the menu, and maybe she would just ignore him. Unfortunately, Alice was in an impatient mood. Conner's very presence got under her skin.

"So what do you want? I haven't got all day. Can't you see we're busy in here?" She tapped her long, tacky nails on the counter and glared at her sole customer. The cafe was practically empty, but Conner knew she wouldn't give up until he ordered or went away.

"Strawberry smoothie, please." Conner sighed. "And please don't put anything 'extra' in it this time. I'll just keep bugging you until you get the order right."

"Deal. You're getting a large, though. And you're paying for it." She turned and took her time getting the fruit. Conner put his head on the counter. It was going to be a long afternoon.

A familiar voice roused him from his self-pity. "Conner, you sure are popular. Even Alice is flirting with you." Tommy Oliver patted his back, then pulled up a stool on the right and leaned on the bar.

Conner looked at him with surprise, "Dr. O, what are you doing here? I haven't seen you here for ages."

"Like last Saturday..." Tommy gave him a skeptical look.

"Well, I mean on school days. Don't you have karate club?"

Tommy had started the club this year in order to keep himself occupied, now that the rangers were over. He had been surprised at how challenging it was. It turned out teaching younger kids was easier; they were used to following directions and didn't have so much body weight. The high school students were too strong-willed and wanted to spar right off the bat. Also they weren't used to the physical discipline, and Tommy was afraid they would get hurt. Fortunately Tommy had experience both teaching martial arts and teaching high school students, so he was getting the hang of it and was hopeful for the future. Having an assistant coach didn't hurt either.

"My assistant is teaching today. I have to get Hayley's stuff for her. I'm picking her up across town at some flower shop in half an hour. The one near the park. I know you want to come along for the ride…" Tommy elbowed Conner, obviously joking and obviously hopeful that Conner would be bored enough to take him up on his offer.

"Um, no." Conner answered and then became confused. "Wait. Hayley's in town? I thought this was like her big vacation."

"Yeah, I don't get it either. But I have the honor of being her chauffeur."

"Doesn't she have a car?"

"Yeah, but she's jogging to the shop."

"Jogging…right." Conner nodded, not knowing what to say. He had never heard Hayley mention jogging before, or any exercise for that matter, and he couldn't understand why someone would spend their vacation in Reefside, jogging to some flower shop.

Tommy clicked his tongue. "Exactly." He looked over at Alice blending Conner's drink. She was leaning into the blender, deep in thought, looking content. Tommy rarely ever saw her calm, and it made him happy. Then all of a sudden, she looked up and met his gaze.

"Hi, Dr. O," she smiled. "What can I get for you?"

"Just a medium cappuccino to go. You can put in on my tab." Tommy winked at her.

She flashed him a smile as she lifted the lid. "You know, Hayley's going to make you pay that tab one of these days. I think it's up to four thousand dollars…"

"Four thousand? That's it?" Tommy liked pretending that he took advantage of Hayley, even though he did keep track of his drinks and pay her at the end of each month. Hayley was constantly doing favors for him and money was money. "Speaking of Hayley, do you have her purse around here for me to pick up?"

Alice looked around, but everything was a blur. It was like she didn't have her contacts in, which she did. "I don't think so. I mean she didn't tell me anything. Then again, Trent's the only one she really talks to. He's busy now, but he'll back in a few minutes." Alice poured Conner's drink and added an extra strawberry. She slid the drink over to him and smiled.

"I'll put this on Dr. O's 'tab' as well," she said with air quotes. Then she went to take care of Tommy's order.

Conner was flabbergasted, literally with his mouth hanging open. "What was that?" he asked.

Tommy returned with a puzzled look of his own. He had no idea what Conner was reacting to. "A tab. You don't know what a tab is?"

"No. Her. I mean before you said she was flirting with me. But now look. Before she was just being her usual bitchy self…."

"Hey, watch your language."

"Dude, she was being nice to you!"

"Conner, shut up and drink your smoothie. Alice is a family friend. I knew her before she moved here." Tommy was firm. He knew that Alice was moody and difficult to understand, but now was not the time to go into it.

Conner was very familiar with Tommy's "shut up" glare and turned to his drink. After a few sips, he decided to take a different approach. "You have friends?"

"Conner..." Tommy groaned. "I know you're going to keep bugging me, so let me give you the short version. I went to high school with her uncle, Kirsty's father. I'm the one who got them their jobs here."

After hearing these words, Conner had a choice. He could spit his smoothie all over the counter or swallow it. He opted for the latter. "You mean they're relat- Ow, ow brain freeze."

Tommy watched Conner jump up, completely amused. "Yes, they're related. They're first cousins."

"Dude, I can't believe they're related!" Conner said through clenched teeth.

"I have the feeling that they don't advertise it. Out of respect for them, don't tell people. And," he added, putting his hand on Conner's back, "don't call me dude."

Conner smiled and swallowed back the rest of his pain. He would never stop calling Tommy dude. "Ok, Dr. O. I can keep a secret. I'll do it to save Kirsty the embarrasment."

"For Kirsty. Right. Now be quiet. Alice is coming over." The two men looked at her with smiling yet insincere faces, feigning innocence. Alice would have been suspicious if she wasn't living inside her head at that moment. She mustered a meek smile as she handed Tommy his drink.

"Here's your drink, Dr. O. Now I'll go check on Tr- " She stopped mid-sentence. There was shouting in the back room and a lot of stomping around. They all knew something had gone wrong, and although Alice was not shy of confrontation, she knew better than to go back there. The three spent the next few minutes trying to make out the words of the argument, but all they heard was the anger in Trent's voice and the whine in Kirsty's. Finally Trent came running in and glared at Alice. He took a deep breath.

"Alice. I don't know how you talked me into that coin toss, but I will never let you have your way again. Kirsty dropped a box and half the glassware is broken." His voice was so even that it was scarier than yelling. Even Alice looked a little flustered.

"On Friday, you are doing the shipment." Alice opened her mouth to speak, but Trent just raised his hand. "I know Joe will be back by Friday. But you are the one who's going to help him."

Alice was angry at Trent's use of his prerogative but knew enough not to contradict him. She would find other ways to get her revenge.

"Fine," she said quietly.

"And don't complain to me if you break a nail. I've had enough of that today."

"Why would I complain?" Alice shrugged. "They're fake anyway." She pulled one off and grinned at Trent. Conner was grossed out, but Trent just shook his head.

"I give up. I don't know how Hayley puts up with either of you."

Alice looked him in the eye and told him the truth, not the entire truth, but enough of the truth to upset him. "She's a good manager, that's how." She headed to the back exit, "I'm going on break."

"Do that." Trent nodded and turned to two of his favorite customers. He picked up a dish towel and threw it on the counter.

Tommy looked at Trent, the boy's maturity and immaturity so clear to him. "Trent, you're going to have to do more than throw that towel to release your anger."

Conner, who wanted to laugh but knew it would be wrong, suddenly got very excited. "I know, Trent. Let's play a little soccer. That's the reason I'm here, and it will help you blow off some steam."

"Sorry Conner. I can't. With this box breaking, I have to re-order glasses and mark the loss in the books. Plus there's still the inventory…" His voice trailed off.

"Can't one of them do that?"

Trent just stared at him. As usual, Conner didn't realize how stupid that question was until it was already out of his mumbled sorry and looked down at the counter. This day was just turning out horribly.

"Aw man, I can't have my two best students in such lousy spirits. Look. Conner, you should come with me now. We'll go to the park and kick the ball around after the flower shop. Trent can meet us once he gets off work. Then I'll drive you both home."

Conner nodded, "I'll do it if Trent agrees." He hadn't spent time with Tommy in a while either and there was no reason not to include him.

Trent looked hesitant, so Tommy set out to convince him. "Trent, for your part, don't worry about the glasses. I'm seeing Hayley later today and I'll explain everything to her. She'll understand."

Trent relaxed a little.

"You're right. Hayley's cool. Anyway, I'll take care of the order tomorrow."

He breathed some more.

"You're right. I need a release. I haven't played soccer in such a long time."

Conner noticed the far-away look in Trent's eyes. "We need some male-bonding time."

"You're right. We need some male-bonding time," Trent agreed.

"You're right," Tommy mocked him. "And I need Hayley's purse. Please. Do you know where it is?"

"Oh yeah. It's right here. She left it here this morning for you."

Tommy stuffed the purse under his arm, "Yup, I love being her gopher. Ok, we'll see you later Trent. Ready, Conner?"

"Just one more thing. Trent, I know you're busy, but you're the only one left. Can I have the rest of this smoothie to go? Pl-lease." Conner flashed his best puppy dog eyes so that even Trent couldn't resent him. The interim manager did as he was requested, and the others went on their way.