Author's Note: As the chapters go on, there won't be as many time changes as I'll probably focus more on the past and only give you some glimpses of the present. So if I don't indicate time changes (past or present), it most likely is a continuation of time previously.

Somewhere Only We Know: Chapter IV

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to agree with Conner. We have a paper due tomorrow. And, why aren't you working on yours?" Kira said. She had Conner were trying to finish their papers at the Cyberspace Café, but Ethan was too busy with his new computer game. It had distracted to the point where Conner just abruptly shut Ethan's computer off so they could have some peace to finish their homework.

"I already finished mine before, while you guys were out being David Beckham and-" Ethan started.

"Oh, don't even go there!" Kira cried before Ethan could finish his sentence. Ethan raised his hands up in surrender as he got up and took his computer elsewhere. Kira heard Conner chuckle next to her. She looked at him as they made eye contact for a second. But Kira quickly looked back down at her paper, almost afraid of him. It was starting to happen quite often these couple of days. There was always this awkward moment with him that it started to get Kira all nervous and jumbled inside. On top of all that, Ethan had just compared them two to David Beckham and 'Posh Spice'. When would Ethan finally stop his comments about her and Conner together? It obviously wasn't going to happen…

"Kira," Conner said as he started to put his things away. But Kira didn't respond as she was still in the midst of her own thoughts. "Hey," he tried again, but she didn't answer. "I would be talking to you, Mrs. David Beckham," Conner said rather loudly knowing that what he said would get her attention. As Conner predicted, Kira snapped out of her thoughts hearing Conner's last comment.

"What?" Kira asked. Kira didn't know it, but time had passed by quickly. After Ethan's interruption, she hadn't been able to concentrate on her paper. She couldn't shake other thoughts out of her head. Her paper was only half finished, but she didn't have the heart to write the rest anymore.

"Hayley is closing up soon," Conner told her.

"What?" Kira repeated looking around. Nobody was around anymore. Even Ethan seemed to have left them. When did this happen? Kira must have spaced out for a while. It was already getting dark outside as well.

"I've gotta go," Conner said. "Do you need a ride?" he asked her before leaving.

"No thanks," Kira replied. Conner shrugged as he said goodbye to Hayley and left the café. After he left, Hayley went over to sit down next to Kira.

"Hey, Kira. You all right?" Hayley asked her.

"I'm fine," Kira said. But Hayley wasn't convinced as she gave her one of those looks. "What?" Kira asked. "I'm fine, really. Why does everyone think something's up?" she retorted. Everyone seemed to be concerned with her these couple of days. Maybe she just wasn't in a good mood or maybe she just had a few bad days. Why did people keep thinking something was up? Nothing was wrong!

"Because you haven't been acting like yourself," Hayley answered honestly. "You seem, distracted. There must be something on your mind," Hayley tried to describe. "Did you have a fight with Conner?" she asked.

"No!" Kira exclaimed. "This has nothing to do with Conner!" she claimed. But she said it way to quickly trying to defend herself. Hayley raised an eyebrow at her. Kira sighed. "Why does everything have to do with Conner? A few weeks ago, we never cared about each other and all of a sudden we're always stuck together," Kira said. "I'm sick of him!"

"Are you?" Hayley asked wisely. Kira stopped. Hayley then left Kira alone. Kira opened her mouth and wanted to protest, but she quickly shut it. She honestly didn't know how to respond, what to say. Hayley seem to see right through Kira and her mask of independence and strength. Inside, Kira was just plain confused, confused about who she was and who she was supposed to be, if that was supposed to make a difference or not.

It got darker out as Kira was outside walking home. An attack of some knew monster or tyrannodrones were the last thing on her mind right now and hopefully they wouldn't show up. They didn't. Instead, something or someone else did: ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Conner McKnight.

"Hey, get in," he said in his car as he slowed too a stop next to her on the street. Kira absent mindedly followed his command and opened the door to the passenger seat of his car to get in. "I knew you were going to need a ride," he commented.

"Are you stalking me now?" Kira asked sarcastically. Conner grinned.

"Not stalking, just waiting," he replied. They were quiet the rest of the way to Kira's house. Kira shifted uncomfortably every so often due to the fact that it was only her and Conner in the car. Usually she had to sit in the back with Ethan in the passenger seat, but Ethan wasn't here to save her from the awkwardness of this car ride. Was this what Hayley was referring to before?

Conner stopped the car right in front of Kira's house before entering the driveway. Kira mumbled thanks as she took her seatbelt off and opened the car door to get out.

"Do you, um, want me to walk you to the door?" Conner asked hesitantly.

"I'm pretty sure that tyrannodrones won't attack me in the night two feet in front of my house," Kira commented. "Even evil needs sleep. But if they do come, I'll think I'll be fine," she said as she was about to get out of the car.

"Are you okay?" Conner asked. And Kira snapped again.

"Yes! God, why does everyone keep asking me that damn question? I'm perfectly fine!" Kira exclaimed getting frustrated and taking some anger out on Conner even though she knew it wasn't his fault. Or, maybe it was his fault. Wasn't he the reason she was stressing?

"Hey," Conner said raising his hands in the air to defend himself. "Don't have to take your anger out on me," he commented. "Just wanted to make sure you're okay and Mesogog didn't like possess your or anything," he said. "You're not, possessed, are you?" he hesitantly asked right afterwards.

"Even if I was possessed by Mesogog, do you think I would tell you?" she said looking at him.

"Oh," Conner answered realizing what Kira was getting at. "True. I guess not," he said. "But still. It's obvious that there's something wrong with you. Mesogog related or not, something is bothering you," Conner told her. "So you can either tell me what's going on or you can leave and feel crappy for who knows how long," he said. Kira sighed. It was weird how sometimes Conner could be a complete idiot, but other times he was a sincere friend. Kira would've never seen past the stereotypical jock usually plastered all over his face and personality if it weren't for them working together as rangers. Maybe sometimes, he wasn't all that bad.

But then again, she couldn't exactly tell him what was bothering her. It was him. Secretly, she finally admitted that it was him that was bothering her. If she told him that, things would definitely change between them. She wouldn't know if it would change for the better or the worse, but she knew that there would be changes.

"I can't tell you," Kira flat out said.

"Yeah, okay. That gets you nowhere," Conner said cracking a grin. Kira had to smile along with him. He was oh so stupid, but she sometimes just had to agree with him.

"Yeah, whatever," Kira said conclusively. "Thanks for the ride. I'll see you tomorrow," she said as she got out of the car, slammed the door shut and started walking up to the front door of her house.

"You're just going to walk away?" Conner asked as he got out of the car on his side.

"Conner, just drop it," Kira said as she looked back and saw Conner walking toward her. "This is none of your business."

Present

"That's none of your business," Kira said defiantly. "Why are you so interested in knowing?" she asked. "Do I owe you something?" she refuted boldly.

"I'm just curious," Conner said defending himself. "Don't you want to know how my soccer career is going?" he asked her a little too happily.

"No. Not really," Kira simply said as she shook her head. "Quick to brag?" In truth, she didn't want to tell Conner about her personal life. She didn't really want to tell him anything. It seemed that everything had changed in the year or two. What she wanted then was not necessarily what she wanted now. Maybe those dreams were accessible as she thought they were. Nonetheless, things were different now, not the way she described them before to Conner. It seems though that he had gotten exactly what he wanted. He was always the lucky one. He got whatever he wanted without too much work. Kira didn't have that.

"Mrs. David Beckham isn't happy? How could that be?" Conner said teasing her.

"I told you, to never call me by that name," Kira stated glowering at Conner for a moment. But he had that silly grin on his face as if he had a plan and she was falling right into his trap. In reality, she wasn't fit for that name title anymore. She couldn't be Mrs. David Beckham. She couldn't be Mrs. Conner McKnight.

Two Years Ago

"So what's the problem?" Conner said persistently, refusing to leave Kira alone until she gave him an answer. Reasoning, he could say that since he was supposedly the leader of the team, he couldn't have one of his fellow rangers feeling bad and possibly screwing up big time when there was a monster attack. But secretly, Conner did care. He was sort of, worried.

"Nothing!" Kira had enough. She had tried to push Conner away, but Conner caught her hands and enveloped her into a hug. Kira froze and was utterly confused. "Um, what are you doing?"

"I'm giving you a hug," Conner simply said with his arms around her. Kira had her arms down by her side as she wasn't hugging back. But then again, she wasn't resisting either. After a few more moments, Conner pulled back. "Do you feel better now?" he asked.

"I'm supposed to feel better when you hug me?" Kira asked giggling.

"But you're smiling," Conner quickly replied when he noticed it. Kira playfully punched Conner in the arm. "I'll take that as a yes," he deduced. "I'll see you tomorrow," he said poking Kira in the arm before he turned around and walked back to his car. Kira stood in her position as she watched him drive away. She couldn't help but grin when she finally entered the house. These must be the effects of hanging out too much with Conner McKnight.