Disclaimer- Not mine, don't own, and never will. Nor do I own the song Damn, which is by LeAnn Rimes.

AN- Change of plans. Read on to find out what.

Shoutouts-

lkwREADer- Thanks! Some of them I do have, but the Kim/Rocky, Kat/Rocky, Kat/Adam, and Tanya/Tommy I never would've thought of. Plus I love the crossover ones you came up with. Thanks.

Hunter- Thanks! Glad you loved it!

Sky's girl forever- Thanks! You'll find out in the next chapter. But in the mean time, hope you like this one. Here ya go!

Slshadowfox- Don't worry, I can do all of them. None of the parings and chapters will be interconnected in anyway, except for a few of them.

Marah- (Revives) Don't die yet, you have to see the conclusion of Ordinary. ;D I'm glad you loved it; hope you love this chappie and future ones. Looking forward to an update! Oh, and you know I'll always be your friend.

Sam- You got it.

Inoshi- Ok, they'll be in the next chapter.

Jessica- Like I told Inoshi, they'll be in the next chapter.

Dany- Thanks! Yeah, thanks for the paring.

Serym- Thanks! Me too, can't get enough of them.

garnetred- Thanks! Ethan and Syd? That one's going to be quite a challenge, but I think I can pull it off. Here's more!

Quote: "Damn, I do love him."

Chapter Nine: Damn

You and I...

A week later…

"So bro, she given you any kind of hint that you two are obviously meant for each other?"

Conner sighed and switched the phone to his other ear, wishing his brother was home from the Academy. "No, I'm beginning to think she's having second thoughts and is all over Trent now. Maybe we're not meant to be together." He said as he propped his feet onto his desk.

"Whatever let me ask you this, who's always there for her?"

He sighed, "I am, do you really have to put me through this shit? We both know the answers."

"Stuff it. Who's always gone to her gigs and has only missed, correct me if I'm wrong, one. How many has Romeo missed a gig or two, or five?"

"Will you stop calling him that?"

Eric grinned on the other end of the phone. "Am I crazy about a certain Water Ninja?"

"If you're referring to Tori, she's taken."

"Dude, I know that. Have you seen that guy? He screams "lethal"!"

"He's really not that bad once you get to know him."

"Yeah, so says the Red Dino Thunder Ranger who got a nice ass-whooping from another Red Ranger" Eric taunted. Like the Thunder brothers, the McKnight brothers didn't believe in keep secrets from each other.

"Bite. Me."

"Hell, no. Anyway, back to your love life."

"What love life?"

"Exactly! You need something to get her attention. Maybe make her jealous."

"I'd like to keep my manhood thank you very much."

"Wuss. Anyway, who was mopping up her tears when Romeo took off?"

"I was…like that's gonna do any good." Conner sighed and ran his free hand through his hair. "This is hopeless man. Trent's a great guy."

"What are you saying Con?"

"I'm saying that if he's who Kira really wants, then it's meant to be."

"WHAT?"

"WHOA!" With a loud thump, Conner was on his back on his bedroom floor. On the other end of the phone he could hear his brother ranting at him.

"What are you smoking? You two are perfect for each other! Win her over before I decide I'm becoming an only child!"

Conner groaned and stood up, "dude, chill, I'm giving her space, it's her choice not mine."

"Ok, she'd better give you an answer soon, or I'll come up there and talk to her myself."

"Do you want us to be short a teammate?"

"Ha, very funny."

"I try."

There you go again when ya.
Rub up against my skin.
I have to catch my breath.
I began to sweat.
oh...

"Has he asked you out yet?"

Kira sighed and tapped her pencil on her notepad, her mind miles away from her latest song. Her mind was currently on Conner, after all these months as being friends and Rangers; he still surprised and amazed her. "No, the ball's in my court and I haven't made a single shot."

"Why not? After hearing about his little scheme with the flowers and balloons I'd say the feeling's definitely mutual between you two. Well, then again you haven't exactly 'fessed up."

Kira groaned, "I know Tor, it's just we seem so wrong for each other."

"More like so right. He's always going to your gigs and has only missed what, one?"

"Yeah…"

"He seems to know you better than Ethan or Trent does."

"True…"

"And from what you told me, he wanted to beat the snot out of Trent for hurting you right?"

"Again you're right…"

"A woman never tires of hearing that, and wasn't he the only honest one when he and the others saw that music video of yours?

"Yes!"

"So tell me again, what's holding you back?"

The Yellow Ranger sighed, tossing her pencil on her desk. "Trent mostly, I mean we've gone out once and I had a great time, when he kissed me good night…there was nothing. No sparks, fireworks, anything." Another sigh. "Is there something wrong with me?"

"No! You two just don't have that right kind of chemistry."

"Like you and Hunter?"

Tori grinned and Kira could practically feel it through the phone line. "Exactly, but at first it wasn't like that, I wasn't even sure if he liked me in the beginning. Turns out he knew how much Blake liked me and didn't want to say anything to me unless the feeling was mutual."

Kira grinned, "From what I saw last week the feeling was definitely mutual."

"You're right, it is, but I just wish Blake was more Ok with it."

"He's not?"

"Yes and no, he's happy for us, but at the same time, I think he wishes it was him instead of Hunter."

"Oh…"

"It's not that I don't love Blake, but being apart from him for over a year made me realize that it's not meant to be. All I'm saying is Kira, let your heart decide, it's the best thing that can happen."

"I know, I know. It's just…what if I do love him?"

"Is that a bad thing? I mean, he did stuff your locker with your favorite flowers, right? What's not to love?"

"True…listen, I'm gonna take a walk. I'll talk to you later."

"Ok, take care Kira."

Lips,
Tracing down my neck.
And it's scaring me to death.
I just learned to draw me to the clear.
Just to push me off.
Just to push me off the edge.

Soon Kira found herself walking through Reefside park, near the soccer field. A flash of bright red whizzing past her caught her attention. Curious, she turned toward the field. A small smile came across her face as she watched Conner talking to a small group of children. Her curiosity grew as she made her away toward the small group. Not wanting to be noticed just yet, she settled herself on a nearby picnic table. Unknowingly to her, a smile came across her face as she watched him work with the kids.

"Ok you guys, just remember: focus on the goal and kick….Not me! Ow!" Conner's hands went up defensively as several somewhat deflated but still painful soccer balls went flying at him. "Hey, knock it off! I'm not the goalie!" His attempts to control the rambunous rugrats were less than successful. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the Yellow Ranger shaking with mirth at the scene that lay before her. He inwardly groaned. Great, now she's probably here to tell me that we're just friends and nothing more. Out of sheer desperation he stuck two fingers in his mouth, whistling loudly. "Ok, that's enough beating up the coach for one day. You guys go play in the playground, but stay where I can see you!" He called to the backs of the retreating kids. He grinned, watching them go. He turned, seeing Kira approaching him, giggling as she did. "Just so you know this was not one of my finer moments."

She grinned at him. "I can see that, but you're so good with kids. I didn't know that."

He shrugged nonchalantly, blushing as he did. "Most of them watch me play and they want to join in. So the moms found out and told their friends. The next thing I know, I have a weekend soccer coaching thing."

She nodded, "sounds great Con, but I think you may need an assistant coach."

"Oh really? You volunteering?"

"Maybe…"

"Ok, what do you know about soccer?"

"Easy." She picked up a nearby ball then walked five steps away. "Ball," she said holding it up as she did. "Goal," she pointed at the goal fifteen feet away from them. She set the ball down on the ground. "You kick it." With a forceful swing of her leg she sent the ball flying high into the air only to land neatly inside the goal. She turned toward the Red Ranger, grinning. "That enough to know?"

Damn I hate the way you know me.
And damn.
You kill me when you hold me.
Like I'm your world.
Like this won't hurt.
Like a favorite cursing every nerve.
Damn.
I'm fightin' and I'm losin' it.
Damn you.
You're pullin' and a pushin'.
I'm wrestlin' with.
I toss and twist.
Till finally I give in.
Damn...

Conner groaned, placing a hand over his heart, feigning pain. "In all the time we've known each other you haven't learned more from me? Then I have seriously failed as a coach."

Kira rolled her eyes. "And you guys call us drama queens."

"Hey!"

She shot him an innocent smile, which sent his heart racing. "So, what brings…" his sentence was abruptly cut off by a sharp tug at his jersey. He looked down and smiled at the small girl who'd helped with his decision to stay with the team. "Hey there," he grinned at her as he kneeled down to her eye level. "How's my best player?"

She shyly grinned back at him. "Fine." Her gaze turned toward Kira. "Who's she?" Both teens heard the evident jealously in her voice.

A small smile came across Kira's face as she watched the two. She could feel her heart fluttering in her chest as she watched them together. "Damn, I do love him," she murmured before walking over to them and kneeling next to Conner. "Hi, I'm Kira, what's your name?"

The child smiled at Kira, "I'm Michaela." She then turned her full attention to Kira, smiling. "Don't you think he's cute?" she asked in a loud stage whisper.

Kira grinned at Michaela's obvious crush on the athlete. "Yeah," she said in the same whisper, looking at Conner as she did. "I do."

I hate being addicted.
Only,
You would have predicted.
That I'd be told.
I'd want, so then.
You can see right through.
You can see right through my soul.

Conner felt his heart begin to race as Kira's words hit home to him. He couldn't believe it, was she finally beginning to reciprocate the feelings he harbored for her? He then saw Michaela's mother walking up to them. They spoke with Conner for a few moments before heading home. He then turned to Kira. "What are you really doing here? I have a pretty good feeling that its not to volunteer to be my assistant."

"Ok, you caught me. I came to talk to you. I've been thinking about what you said. You know me so well, better than Ethan or Trent. And you were so wonderful to me when Trent was against us. I'm sorry if I never thanked you for it…"

He waved her apology away. "Being in love," his piercing gaze locked with hers, "means never having to say you're sorry." He then grinned. "So there might be an us? You and me?"

She returned his grin, "I hope so."

"Babe, you have no idea how long I've been waiting for you to say that." He narrowly avoided her fist, grinning as he did.

Kira mock scowled at him but failed to do so. She reached out and gently grasped his jersey, pulling him to her. "And I've wanted to do this for quite sometime." She leaned up to capture his lips with hers….

Damn I hate the way you know me.
And damn.
You kill when you hold me.
Like I'm your world.
Like this won't hurt.
Like a favorite cursing every nerve.
Damn.
I'm fightin' and I'm losin' it.
Damn you.
You're pullin' and a pushin'.
I'm wrestlin' with.
I toss and twist.
Till finally I give in.

"Are we interrupting?"

"Eric!"

"Ow! What'd I do?"

"Just totally ruined their moment."

"I did that? Whoops. Ow! Down woman!"

The two Rangers turned their heads to find Conner's exact double bickering with a young woman with blonde hair.

"Eric?"

"Conner. Dude! Long time no see man!" Eric exclaimed enthusiastically as they walked up to them, slapping hands with his brother then yanking him into a bear hug. Both girls watched the reunion with fond smiles on their faces. They turned to each other as the brothers caught up with each other.

"I'm Tally. Tally Martin."

Kira grinned; she knew she was going to like this girl. "Nice to meet you, I'm Kira Ford."

"Ah, so I finally meet Mystery Girl."

"'Mystery Girl'?"

The blonde head bobbed up and down. "Yeah, awhile back Conner was telling Eric about, and I quote, "totally amazing and beautiful girl who's the only one that's put me in place". He's been smitten with you for a long time."

"Oh really…" Hazel eyes turned toward the twins who were suddenly aware of the girls watching them. She smiled. "If I was really honest with myself, it was the same for me. Infatuated from the beginning."

Tally grinned. "You're not the only one to fall for the McKnight charm."

The Yellow Ranger returned the grin. "It took me awhile, but yeah."

"Totally worth it in the end," Tally said, watching the two.

"You got that right Tally."

I get wreck less, scared, confused.
I feel desperate.
Soul for you.
And you know it.
You know it.
You know what I should do.

"So where're you going?"

Kira groaned and shuffled through her closet once more, as well as attempting to keep her phone from sliding to the floor. "I have no idea; he said it's a surprise. I've been informed to wear something that he's never seen me in."

"You could always be a little risqué and show up in nothing and heels."

"Tori!"

"Just kidding."

"Very funny."

"Cam must be rubbing off on me."

"When he's not hanging around Hayley?"

"Shh! Don't let Dustin hear that, he's a bit of the jealous type."

"What about him and the Cassidy look-alike?"

"Didn't really work out, she's seeing someone from her Earth class."

"You guys never cease to amaze me…now, back to my wardrobe, or lack there of."

Tori chuckled. "Try a skirt, one that he hasn't seen and top that'll make his jaw drop."

"Hmm…. Most of my clothes he's seen me in, the possibilities are endless."

"Funny."

"I try…" more shuffling could be heard on the other end of the line, followed by "I forgot about this."

"Describe."

"It's a soft silk yellow top with roses in black stitching with a matching skirt."

"Nice, you'll definitely have him wrapped around you by the end of the night."

"I want to impress him, not have him be totally whipped."

"Too late Kir, he's already there."

-

"Conner, did you absolutely have to blindfold me?" Kira inquired as the Red Dino Thunder Ranger led her by the hand to places unknown to her.

"Well yeah," he answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Otherwise it'd ruin the surprise."

"I'm really not a "surprise" kinda girl."

"You'll like this one, trust me."

"If you say so…"

"I do…" he suddenly stopped her. "Wait right here."

"Conner…" her protests fell on deaf ears. She could hear metal clinking softly a few feet away. Soft music could be heard in the background. She heard the strike of a match then inhaled the deep scent of warm vanilla in the air. A small smile came upon her face, secretly loving all the trouble he'd gone for her. But the suspense was killing her!

She sighed and crossed her arms impatiently, the curiosity getting the best of her.

"You know, patience is a virtue." Conner commented with an amused smirk.

"I'll have patience when you take this blindfold off."

"You got it beautiful," she could hear the grin in his voice as the blindfold was gently pulled off her head.

Kira blinked several times, her eyes adjusting to the light, when everything came into focus, she gasped.

Hayley's Cyberspace had changed.

Not much, but it definitely had a romantic atmosphere. All the lights were off save for the string of lights that scattered around the room. All the tables and chairs were pushed against the wall except for one that was set for two. In the middle of the table were two long candles, which gave off a soft glow around the table, enlightening the romantic environment more. Kira turned; her hazel eyes swung to Conner's honey orbs. "You did all this for me?"

The jock shrugged self consciously, blushing as he did. "Yeah, I did." His blush then grew deeper as Kira leaned up and pressed a brief but mind-blowing kiss on his lips. When she pulled away he was grinning like a loon, his honey eyes dancing with excitement. He offered his silky red clad arm to her. "Shall we?"

She grinned and took his arm. "We shall."

"Over a dinner of homemade lasagna and garlic bread the teens sat in each others' company, learning more and more about each other. No mentions of Mesogog were made, nor of Elsa and Zeltrax. For one night, they could be just normal teens.

"So Conner," Kira wondered to the Red Ranger, her eyes still sparkling from one of the best evenings of her life. "How did you get Hayley to let you use the Cyberspace?"

"Begged, pleaded, and used my Mustang as insurance."

"Your Mustang? Ok, if I had been sketchy of there being an us before, I'm not now."

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" a hopeful look came across Conner's face.

She nodded. "I can think of a dozen reasons why we shouldn't be together, but I don't care. I know people will say we're too young and we don't know what love is. But I do, and I know what's in my heart. I love you Conner."

The jock's face broke out into a wide grin. "I love you too Kira." He rose and walked over to her. Kneeling in front of her he grinned. "You're stuck with me now babe."

"Don't call me babe." But she was grinning as she said it. "What do you think the others will say?"

"Hell Kira, give me a few days and I'll tell the whole world."

Damn I hate the way you know me.
And damn.
you kill when you hold me.
Like I'm your world.
Like this won't hurt.
Like a favorite cursing every nerve.
Damn.
I'm fightin' and I'm losin' it.
Damn you.
You're pullin' and a pushin'.
I'm wrestlin' with.
I toss and twist.
Baby I give in.
Damn...

End Chapter

AN2- There ya go Mar-Mar, and everyone else. You know the usual; please leave a paring challenge and/or crossover before chapter twelve. Ok, please leave a review, no flames please! Thanks!

CamFan4Ever