I want to thank all of you for your patience. Burnout is a beast...but I'm back with the next chapter. I hope you all like this.

Before you all plow ahead, I have a little business to handle:

This chapter comes with a lemon at the end...and there is a lot of back story here.

While writing the lemon at the end, I used the song Safest Place To Hide by the Backstreet Boys as an inspiration. The lyrics don't fit as well as I wished the would. But it captures Conner's feelings and emotions perfectly. You should give it a listen. It's so very beautiful.

I also want to thank everyone for trusting me. I know that the twist was unexpected, and some of you weren't sure where I was going when I revealed that David was Conner's father, but I promise that it's gonna be okay.

Lastly, Power Rangers belong to Saban...not me. I'm just a sappy romantic that also happens to be a Power Ranger nerd. LOL

See you all at the bottom!

October 1997

The Reservation

Tommy walked up to the house his brother was staying at. It still felt weird to do anything without worrying about a monster attack. Just the month before, he'd passed his powers onto TJ.

Kim was out with Kat and Tanya doing some much needed shopping.

He frowned seeing that the screen door was open.

"David?"

"Yeah, Um here. Come'n"

Tommy's frown deepened hearing his brother's slurry speech. Walking in and closing the screen door behind him, he apprached the couch and wrinkled his nose at the strong smell of beer. He looked down at the ripped open carton of Budlight and then at his brother, who wasn't quite plastered, but on his way there.

"David, I didn't know you drank...how many have you had?"

"Doesn matter. Its n' enough."

Ok, this was a long departure from the brother he'd first met. His hair was mussed and his eyes were slightly glazed over. Currently, he was wearing a pair of sweatpants and nothing else...except for his choker.

Sitting down next to his brother on the couch, he spoke again. "This isn't like you bro, wanna tell me what's going on?"

"She's gone...thats w...wrong. Fucken asshole...gun..."

Tommy looked his brother in the eye. He wasn't prepared for the profanity either.

Ok. I'm gonna cut you off for now. I can't understand drunk talk. Let me get you something else to drink. Getting up he went to the fridge and pulled out a cold bottled water and a store bought ham sandwich.

Sitting down beside his brother he handed over the sandwich and fought a mini battle trying to take away the beer and replacing it with the water.

A few minutes passed as his brother ate and drank. When he was finished, Tommy handed him a napkin. Okay, now. Why don't repeat the story again."

She's gone. Christine is gone. The old loser with his fuckin gun pointed to my head. Insulted me and then took her away."

"And when did this happen?"

Two years ago today. She's married to him. And she's carrying my baby. I know she is...and all I got was the birth announcement and a few locks of hair. That stupid fuckin asshole took her away from me. I couldn't even fight for her."

Okay, that's not something I expected. How do you know that you got her pregnant? Has she come to you asking for money or something?"

David looked at him like he was an idiot. "I had sex with her. Several times. She fuckin drained me. Then when I fell asleep I had this dream...my baby is gonna be a ranger..just like his uncle. I know it."

Tommy was proud of himself for keeping up with his brothers sloshy dialogue. "Okay. Wanna tell me more about this dream?"

She was so hungry that night. I did my best to keep up with her...we didn't use protection at all." David paused giving his brother a serious look.

Tommy only nodded as his brother told him about the dream.

Present time

Tommy was drawn from his memories as his wife slipped her hand into his. She leaned against him and he wrapped his arms around her.

They'll be here any minute."

Tommy nodded. "This is gonna shock the hell out of him. I hope Connor can handle this."

"He's strong Tommy, just like his uncle. I thought you had more faith in him then that."

"I do, but its not everyday you get a bomb dropped on you."

Kimberly laughed. "True, but he's had you all this time. He comes from a legacy of red rangers...it will come as a shock, but given some time to think it over, he'll come out of this just fine."

"Come out of what?" Said Conner from behind them.

Tommy turned to look at him. "I've been sworn to secrecy. You'll just have to wait for them to get here."

Conner sighed heavily and then looked at Kira who had just followed him out the door. "Why do I get the feeling that I'm about to be thrown for a loop?"

Tommy sighed as Kim squeezed his hand. "I promise it's not as bad as you're expecting...it's unexpected, but not bad."

Connor sighed again as Psyche and Mischief came to stand on either side of them. Over the time they'd stayed there, both dogs had warmed to them. Now, Mischief who was now easily recognizable with his brown fur and the white strip of fur down the middle of his head. Psyche who was named for the beautiful girl from Greek Mythology...and Psyche the Pitbull was just as sweet a girl with her peachy white fur and pink nose. She licked Kira's hand and leaned against her leg. Kira only laughed softly, scratching the sweet dog behind the ears.

They all stood silent for a moment as the red SUV pulled into the driveway. Tommy strode forward as the car idled and stopped.

Conner watched in silence as the brothers embraced and then the dark eyes met his own. He saw the newcomer study him as if seeing the sun for the first time. The moment lasted a few more seconds and then the newcomer gave his brother another look.

Then the moment passed as the passenger door opened and a woman stepped out. She flashed him a smile and then walked around to the other side and opened it in time for a little girl to jump out. She gave him a smile too and then tugged on her mommy's hand.

All this took place in the space of a few minutes. Kira squeezed his hand and kissed his cheek. That snapped him out of his staring and he wrapped an arm around her as they strangers strode up the steps.

The man, David, gave him another smile as they passed through the door. Just behind him was the little girl and the woman, both pulling small carry-on bags. When they were inside, Tommy came up to him. Their mentor gave them both another look along with a small smile. "Come on, lets go see what the guys have cooked up."

As they walked through to the grill on the back patio, Conner's mind was on the stranger. What was it about him anyway? Sure he was mom's ex boyfriend...but the look the man had given him had been warm and lighthearted. Not the look of a stranger...

Kira squeezed his hand again.

Conner smiled down at her and wrapped an arm around her waist.

David smiled at the look of love passing between his son and his fiance...Kira. He hoped very much that she was help him through the bombshell he was about to drop on them both.

"They're both incredibly strong." Tommy said behind him. "They can handle anything thrown at them. Their bond is even stronger, he fought for her tooth and nail. Even though you're about to shock the hell out of them, he's learned the importance of turning to his woman for support."

David nodded. "This is what Christine wanted for her sons. When's Eric coming in?"

"Connor called him earlier. He'll be here early tomorrow. Its hard to get him away from the Wind Ninja Academy in Blue Bay Harbor. I called some friends of ours that teach there and had a talk with them. After his training is done for the day, he'll leave."

David took a deep breath and looked at his son again. "Got any liquid courage laying around?"

A few hours later

The grill was cleaned and the food put away. The kids were down in the basement theater watching movies and eating popcorn. Adam and Tanya had gone up to their room already. It was just the adults sitting around the fire pit on the back porch. All around the fire sat the Tommy and kim, David and Shawnee, and Connor and Kira.

Kira rested her head on Conner's shoulder as they all made small talk.

Finally David sat up and kissed his wife. Then he looked at Conner. I guess now's as good a time as any. I know you've got a lot of questions for me about Christine...your mom. But there's something important I need to tell you.

The young man met his eyes. I don't remember a lot about mom...I just found her diary last night. If you have more to tell me, I'm all ears."

David exhaled softly and shook his head. What I'm bout to tell you has been kept a secret ever since the night you and your brother were conceived. Except for myself only a handful of people know about this. When I first found Tommy, I told him too, but he's been sworn to secrecy.

Conner furrowed his brow. "A secret? What kind of secret?"

David sighed again. I never want you or anyone to doubt my love for Christine. She was my first love and first in every way that mattered. The night before your mother was ripped from my side, we snuck off together and I presented her with my betrothal gift. It's the custom of our tribe, to weave a bracelet out of leather and present it the girl we wanted to marry. It's our version of an engagement ring. Until that time in my life, I loved only her...and she loved me very much in return."

"We made love that night until neither of us could see or walk straight. It was the best night of my life. We had absolutely no inkling of what the morning light would bring. However that night, I had a dream and in it, I sat before a roaring fire with the night sky over head. The moon was shining over me. I stared into the fire and saw two babies floating in the midst of the flames. One of the babies shadows faded, but didn't disappear The other shadow got stronger and more defined. As I watched it morphed into the shadow of a young man. From somewhere I heard a roar like I'd never heard before, it was so tribal and fierce...the shadow began to dance around, only the dance was very uniformed like a martial arts dance.

Then the face of a dinosaur engulfed the shadow. It roared even louder and I woke up in a cold sweat. I knew then that Christine and I had made a baby that would one day become a power ranger.

Conner felt all the air go out of him. His eyes widened and his hands became fists.

"Your my dad?"

David nodded. "You and your brother are both mine. You have my temper, but I need you to know the rest of the story. There was a reason that I kept your paternity a mystery. Christine's father was very big racist. If he'd known that his grand children were half Native American, or Redskins as he called me, it's very possible he would have demanded that she have an abortion. A month later, when it was confirmed that she was pregnant, the three of us had a secret meeting. We didn't know if you'd come out looking like me or like your mother."

"We decided that it would be best to pass you two off as their children and when you both were born, and that's what we did. We also got very lucky that you didn't look like me, that you'd looked more like your mother. They didn't think anything of the fact that you'd come a month too early to be theirs. They bought it hook, line and sinker."

David paused and looked across the table. Connor sat ramrod straight in his seat, staring at his lap. Kira's hand was curled around his fist. He watched as Connor closed his eyes, trying to stay calm.

"I know you're angry at me, but it was all for your safety and well-being. The one thing the old bastard got right was that he had a lot more money then me. I had a job, but it wasn't nearly enough to support two kids. And they were loaded."

"Christine's husband was way too naive, but he was a good man and agreed to keep it all under wraps and just to avoid any doubt, when you were born he asked for a DNA test. It was done very discretely. The tests came back positive."

"I wished so badly that I could have been there to see you two hit every milestone of growing up. But I set up a PO box in Angel Grove...when they could they'd send me pictures, locks of hair...letters so I could watch from a distance. I wanted so much more but that was the best any of us could do."

"Then, after the accident. I lost track of you for a while. When Tommy and Kim moved to Reefside, I asked them to track you down again. He's been keeping watch over you ever since then. I only wished I could have done more...I really did want to be in your lives...but that old man stood in the way."

Saying this, David picked up an old chest and placed it on the table. He didn't say a word as he opened the lid.

"All this time I've kept everything she ever sent me. There's not a day that went by that I didn't think about you two. I've always kept your pictures close by."

Conner nodded as he fought back tears. He looked at David and then back at Kira.

"I'm sorry. I know this is supposed to be a special moment, when we hug and get to know each other...but I just can't handle all this right now. I need to wrap my head around all of this."

David nodded as Conner stood up from the table. "I understand S...Conner. I'll be here when you want to talk more."

Conner only nodded as he turned and walked out of the room, up the stairs and into their room. Kira only shot David a small smile before she followed her fiance out of the room.

When Kira opened the door she saw a heart shattering site. Conner was on the bed with his knees pulled up to his chest and his arms wrapped around his knees. His shoulders were shaking and his head rested on his knees.

Kira stood watching him for a moment more and then turned and locked the door. She dimmed the lights, took her shoes off and crawled onto the bed. Conner stopped for a moment and lifted his head to glance at her. His eyes were red rimmed and weepy. "Kira, don't come in here, I don't want you to have to see this."

He watched as she put an hand on his knee.

"Did you honestly think that I would stay away and abandon you when you needed me most? When you proposed to me, I agreed to marry you...all of you. The brave Red Ranger, the hot soccer player and most of all, the soft and tender lover that only I ever get to see. Don't you ever even think about keeping me out."

Conner shook his head and lowered his knees when Kira motioned for him to do so. She was silent as she took off his shoes and climbed onto his lap, straddling him.

"Kira, you shouldn't do that...I'm weak and...v."

Kira silenced him with a kiss and with that his restraint broke and he clutched Kira to him and held her close. The beautiful woman in his arms didn't make a sound of protest as he attacked her lips. Instead she kissed him back just as heatedly.

"Kira...Kira..." He softly chanted as their lips separated.

His eyes had darkened and a tear streak was easily visible down the side of his cheek.

"Let me in, Conner. You are mine to take care of. Just this once, let me be the one to save you."

Conner shook his head. "No, I'm a red...was a red. I can't let you do this."

Kira softly growled under her breath. "You are a red...that never goes away. But I'm a yellow. You may be the tough Red ranger jock to the rest of the world, but here, in our bedroom, you are Conner McKnight...and my soul mate. You're mine and I'm the one and only person that will ever know that you broke down like this."

She looked into his eyes and saw that her mate was in pain...but along with the pain, there was also love and trust.

She kissed his lips again. "Tell me Conner what do you need?"

He kissed her back and then rested his head against her chest. "You...just you. I want to forget what happened downstairs...I can't handle it right now."

Kira kissed his forehead as he looked up at her. The man who owned her looked so vulnerable...so broken...Kira's heart broke for him. She kissed his lips again and then reached down between them and took off her shirt.

"Take what you need Conner."

He looked up at her again. "No, I can't...I want to."

She ran her fingers through his hair. "I won't let you go too far Conner. But take what you need."

He looked at her again and she leaned down kissing his lips.

That last shred of his control left him then and he attacked her lips again and she reached behind him and helped him out of his shirt...then he went back to kissing her and only a moment passed before his lips left her and began to wander to her cheek and then her neck and her collar bone.

Kira's body flared to life then and she couldn't help but moan. Conner stopped for a moment but then went back to kissing the her shoulder and his hands began to wander. They rubbed her back and then made their way to her stomach and then up.

Finally, they reached her chest and he brushed his fingers across the soft cotton of her bra. She softly inhaled before she reached behind her and unlatched the snaps When it fell away he looked into her eyes and then latched on to her.

With the hunger of a desperate man, he bathed her breasts in kisses and when she moaned softly he sucked on them gently and at the moment, she felt her arousal dampen her panties.

Connor paused as he smelled her.

He let go of her breasts and then looked into her eyes.

Kira's eye darkened when she felt him harden underneath her. He moaned softly shook his head squeezing his eyes shut. But the former yellow ranger was having none of it. And when he reached between them to adjust himself, she ground down on him. He managed to move his hand out of the way just in time.

"Kira!" he softly whispered "I'm sorry, I can't stop!"

But Kira silenced him with another kiss. "Shhh. I'm taking control. Let me have my way."

Saying this she scooted back and unbuttoned his pants. He didn't fight her at all and let her help him out of his jeans. When they were on the floor, he watched with hooded eyes as she took off her own pants leaving just her soft yellow panties on.

He groaned again when she straddled him again and grounded her heat on his. He was lost to the world as Kira picked up the pace and he couldn't stop himself from bucking his hips at her.

Kira...Kira..." he panted as she kept increasing the pace at which she grounded herself on to him. She barely flinched when he grabbed her hips and pressed her harder against him.

"I'm sorry Kira...I can't stop...can't stop."

"Then don't."

He moaned softly as he bucked his hips and at the same time, she ground him as hard as she could. Then she felt him shaking in her arm.

"I can't hold on...so close." He kissed her shoulder and then, without warning he bit her shoulder and sucked hard. Kira held on to him as he marked her.

He gasped as she felt him self tense up. Kira captured his lips again and then rocked her hips hard as she could and he shattered in her arms. She kept rocking against him as he exploded between them. She didn't stop until he sagged in her arms.

Neither of them said anything as she stroked his back whispering to him how much she loved him...that she'd always be there for him...how everything would be alright.

He only nodded against her shoulder as he came down from his climax.

When at last he looked up at her, he frowned. "You didn't come."

"I didn't plan to. You were the one who needed the release...I can take care of myself when you go clean up."

He shook his head. "No. This isn't right."

She protested but this time, it was Conner's turn to silence her. As he captured her swollen lips in his, he gently pressed her back till she was laying on her back. When Conner broke the kiss she looked up at him in curiosity.

He kissed her again before trailing his lips down to her core. He looked up at her and then zeroed in on her slit.

Stars exploded behind her eyes as he eagerly went down on her. She bucked her lips at him as he held her hips in place. She was barely able to stay quiet feeling him work her into a frenzy. With each open mouth kiss and every pass of his tongue against her sensitive nub, she felt herself tighten up.

"Conner... Conner..." She whispered.

He only pressed harder and she grasped the back of his head. He reached between them then and pressed hard on her clit and she shattered around him. She had to bite her lip to stay quiet. Still, he didn't let up the pressure.

Not until she sagged to the bed.

Then and only then did he lift his head to glance at her. She gave him a dazed smile and he smiled at her as he laid down on the bed next to her and pulled her close.

He nuzzled her neck and she kissed him again. When the both of them could breathe steadily, he kissed her back.

"I'll go get us some hot rags."

Kira kissed him again. "Okay."

He got up from the bed then and pulled on his robe. When he opened the door, he looked down in surprise and confusion as he saw the plastic tub with steaming hot water. Two rolled up rags were resting aginst the side of it.

He blushed when he realized that someone knew what they'd been up to...

He picked up the bowl then looked around and saw that the hallway had darkened considerably. Assured that he was alone, he turned around and closed the door behind him.

Kira looked up at him with sleepy eyes. He smiled back at her as he took one oft he wash cloths and squeezed the water out. He kissed her feet as he lifted up her leg and began to clean her up.

As he performed the simple gesture, he looked down at Kira and his heart swelled up with love...he had no idea how it wasn't exploding with how much adoration he had for her.

When she was clean he turned and cleaned himself off, and when he had changed into another set of boxer brief and sleep pants, he helped her slip in between the sheets.

When he'd turned out the light, he wound his arms around her and pulled her closer to him.

He smiled as he kissed her hair again. She kissed him back and then rested her head on his shoulder.

They both knew they'd have to face the truth the next day, but he knew that Kira would never let him face it alone. She'd be by his side every minute.

How again did he get so lucky?

So, what did you all think? Was the reaction what you all thought it would be? The next chapter will be the introduction of Eric McKnight. See you all then!