Unable to believe that once again I was letting Jason get the better of me, I headed for my dorm knowing I only had a short time to meet him. It didn't help when I almost bumped into Commander Forge but having a quick enough mind I came up with an excuse.

"You have to go grocery shopping? Um okay carry on." Forge muttered as I hurried past, giving him a nod. Grabbing what I needed from my dorm, mainly my casual clothes and a bag, I headed for the showers. After taking a quick shower to wash the results of my training from my skin, I dressed and headed for my waiting car. But before I had even reached the driver side door someone coughed and I spun around to find both Max and Steel watching me.

"And just where do you think you're going?" Steel asked hovering only inches from my face and I narrowed my eyes at him, not in the mood for an interigation.

"No offense but when do I have to answer to you guys?" I asked, hands on my hips and Steel glanced at Max for a moment. After a pause Max actually shook his head at Steel who stared at his best friend. "Look I'm not trying to be mean but I have somewhere I need to be." I added, not wanting to see like a horrible person by brushing them off.

"If you have a date that's okay." Max said and my eyes went wide until he grinned at me. "Kat told me you had a date and judging from the clothes she was right. Have fun." He added laughing as I turned around, trying in vain to hide my red cheeks. By the time I arrived at the park, finding a parking space a few feet away I noticed I was over fifteen minutes late. Quickly I locked the car and as I went looking for Jason, who right now was sitting to the left of the park dressed in his usual black suit. As I approached he looked up, giving me a frown and I sighed knowing what could have happened had I been any later.

"You're late once again." Jason said, arms crossed against his chest and I opened my mouth, all set to apologize when something suddenly clicked and I mirrored his frown. He raised an eyebrow, curious as I grew angry.

"Hang on a second. Miles Dredd has control over Mega Elementor and not you, if I remember what happened last time Makino invaded Earth a few months ago." I said, keeping my anger in check and he shrugged as I stared at him. "You tricked me!" I yelled, ignoring the surprised looks of several passersby and before Jason could react I shoved him.

"Let me explain!" He yelled back as I whirled around, making my way towards my car and that's when he clamped a hand down on my shoulder. Not thinking I reacted and using my N-Tek training I threw me into the dirt, watching as his eyes went wide. Ignoring him I hurried towards my car, fighting tears of both anger and frustration as I realized that he'd played me for a fool. By the time I reached my car I was wiping my eyes with my hand as I tried to open the driver side door with the other. It wasn't until I noticed that I was trying to open the door with my apartment key that I sniffed, not even noticing Jason had finally caught up with me.

"How could you be so cruel? Oh that's right you work for Dredd so no wonder you're an horrible person who only cares about themselves." I growled, ignoring the hot tears running down my face and to my shock Jason actually looked guilty. "And I'm an idiot for falling for your stupid plan." I added and not letting him get a word in I turned around, flicking through my keys to find the right one. Distracted I didn't see Jason step closer and when he noticed I wasn't looking at him he chewed his lip for a moment. Then he moved against me and when I finally noticed he pinned me against my car, which caused me to drop my keys beside the car.

Not giving me time to react I felt his hand slowly rub my back and I let out a gasp as his tongue flicked my ear.

"Crystal, don't go. I...really like you." Jason whispered, gently tonguing my ear and as his hand slipped into my shirt I groaned as he rubbed the bare skin of my back. "And you like me."

"I...don't. I don't like anyone...that way." I gasped, not wanting to admit that maybe I did like this stuck up jerk. And when his lips pressed against my neck, brushing a kiss against it I found myself actually enjoying this. "Please...I can't keep doing this." I mumbled and he chuckled before he leant over and I gasped as he nipped my shoulder.

"I know you better than you know yourself." Jason whispered before I felt his tongue delicately lick the bite. When his mouth closed over it I groaned, eyes closing as he sucked on the mark. "You want someone strong to be with." He added as his mouth left my shoulder for a moment and I gasped, somehow remembering how to breathe.

"That's not true." I muttered and he grinned at me, orange eyes almost glowing before he cupped my chin with his free hand and kissed me. The kiss was warm and passionate, something I'd never experienced before. Coming up for air I blinked, unable to focus as Jason nuzzled my neck. "I don't need anyone...to.." I trailed off as his fingernails scratched my back and for a few seconds I forgot it was him I was making out with.

"Yes you do." Jason answered just before his lips kissed my jawline and as his lips trailed feather-light kisses across it he pressed one hand against my back, keeping me pinned while the other rubbed my back. After a few minutes of listening to my groans Jason finally released me, though not without gving my backside a squeeze. As he stepped back I gasped, panting heavily as my heart beat wildly.

"Why did you...do that?" I panted and he chuckled, reaching across and lightly stroking my cheek. Getting no response I stared at him, waiting for my heart and breathing to settle down and then he spoke.

"Because I wasn't lying when I said I liked you." Jason answered before he turned and walked away, a slight smile on his face. I didn't move for a few minutes unable to believe that I'd let such an arrogant, self-centred jerk get away with kissing me like that. And that's when I realized something and it terrified me; I was falling for Jason Naught. By the time I left the park Jason was long gone and as I knelt to retrieve my keys I let out a sigh unable to think straight as my mind kept wandering back to the last few minutes and it was only when my phone rang that I snapped out of my daze. Quickly rummaging through my pocket I finally retireved my phone, somehow not dropping it in my haste to answer.

"Hello?" I asked and after listening for a few seconds I frowned. "Okay I'm on my way." I replied only to blink as I heard the sounds of a motorcycle.

"Hey Crystal, need a lift?" Max Steel asked as he pulled up alongside my car and I rolled my eyes, stuffing my keys and phone in my pocket.

"I have a car but...sure why not?" I grinned as I sat behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist and after reveing the engine he took off. While it was nice having my own wheels nothing beats riding a motorcycle, speeding through the streets and dodging traffic. Along the way Steel finally explained why I had had to leave my car behind in favor of the Turbo Cycle. Not that I was complaining.

"Forge's on his way. Mega Elementor just attacked the base along with over a dozen Ultralinks so he needs us there pronto." Steel said as Max weaved in and out of traffic and I frowned, suddenly wondering if Jason caused this. Noticing I had gone completely silent Steel spoke to Max, using their telephatic link and when Max spoke I yelped.

"Sorry didn't mean to freak you out." Max said, a slight grin under his helmet and I shook my head keeping a firm grip on his waist.

"Don't worry about it. Is Dredd there?" I asked and he gave me a slight nod. "Guess I get a second chance at him." I grinned only to hear Forge's voice and I sighed knowing I was in for an earful.

"No you're not, Agent Crystal. After your last failed attempt at bringing him in, you're confined to Kat's Jump Jet for the entire battle. No arguments." Forge told me and I wanted to argue but he was my commanding officer and if I went against orders I might end up being punished. So I let out a sigh and agreed to this plan. For now anyway though if Dredd just happened to put my friends at risk...

Just as we reached the base something slammed into the ground inches from us and the Turbo Cycle went flying, us included. Max managed to flip in midair and land on his feet while I rolled. Rushing to my side, Max helped me up as Steel detached from the cycle and linked with his best friend.

"Thanks. What's the plan, Max Steel?" I asked just as the ground shook and we both turned just as a fireball almost took my head off. "Hey!" I yelled, reaching for my weapon only to remember that I wasn't in my armor. "Oh hell." I muttered as Mega Elementor rushed towards us and I raced for the safety of a nearby ROCC Vehicle, glancing back as Max Steel attacked changing to Strength Mode. That distraction caused me to run right into Dredd who seemed a little amused that an N-Tek agent would have the guts to stand up to him.

"They send a lady to fight me? After what Mr Naught did to you last time I thought you would have learn your lesson. I suppose not." Dredd said as he stepped forward and I raised my fists, knowing I had to fight. "You're going to fight me?" He laughed and that made me so furious that I lunged, throwing a punch that he easily dodged and I stumbled. Before I could regain my balance he struck me with his fist and I cried out, my back taking the force of the blow. With a shake of his head he headed for Max Steel only for me to spit blood and rush him. I didn't even feel the next blow as it connected and as I collapsed, falling to my knees someone moved into my line of vision. I caught a glimpse of a pair of black shoes then...nothing.