Title: Chance

Author: Sarafu

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: Power Rangers aren't mine.

Word Count: 711

Challenge: Casey - Conner/Ethan friendship, SB3, "I believe in geek speak, I owned you." and plus points for mention of Derrick

Summary: Mastering the game.

"Damn!" Conner yelled, trying to catch up with his best friend's score. "Save some for me."

"You wish," Ethan retorted as he redoubled his efforts, shoving past Conner's character to take out a few more aliens.

Kira watched them with evident amusement. "If Hayley was here, she'd pull your plugs so you couldn't disturb her customers."

"It's good that she's not here then – seriously, Ethan, if you do that again, I'll find a way to tell Cassidy that you cried when you found out about her and Devin." Conner's brief remark to Kira turned into a threat against Ethan.

"I know your secrets, too, Conner. And the Cassidy thing is nothing compared to what would happen if I told – "

"Are you gonna talk or are you going to shoot?" Conner interrupted, surreptitiously peeking at Kira who glanced at Ethan with a puzzled look.

"Shoot," the Blue Ranger grunted, glaring at the screen in front of him.

The blonde rolled her eyes and returned to the song notebook on her lap. "Some day, you'll have to tell me what is so wonderful about Splatter Buster 3. It doesn't seem like something all that great."

They gaped at her with shock. "Not that great?" Ethan echoed. "It's the best game ever."

"Kira, it's a guy thing." Conner's explanation left something to be desired (as Kira's expression showed) so he tried to backpedal quickly. "Sorry, I mean it's just something that appeals to that those of us that like the violence and the blood."

Ethan snorted with disbelief which Kira and Conner ignored in favor of the conversation. "I would think you've had enough of the violence and the blood after this year," she said tartly. "Both of you. Between Trent and Mesogog and bullies like Derrick, we've seen more violence and blood than most people ever do in their lifetimes."

"Die, alien scum!" Ethan muttered, blowing up one of the big aliens. His comment reminded Conner that they were in the middle of a grudge match. The next few minutes were full of curses and triumphant yells, making Kira shake her head at the mysterious draw of the game. All of a sudden, Ethan shouted victoriously, "Take that, you stupid multi-armed freak."

The Red Ranger glowered at Ethan's obvious joy. "Dude, that was so not fair. I was distracted," he complained.

"You're the one who let yourself be distracted," Ethan answered, sending a fleeting look toward the Yellow Ranger lost in her notebook.

"Shut up, Ethan."

"I believe in geek speak, I owned you!" The vindictive taunting from Ethan made the soccer player groan with frustration. "You're never going to beat me, bro, cause I am the best gamer ever. In fact, I think you owe me your car for a date with Sam."

"Do you really think I'm going to let you take my baby out?"

"That was the deal," Ethan argued. "If I won, I got your car for a night. If you won which you didn't because I so won, I had to do that thing for you."

Catching the last part of the remark, Kira looked at Ethan with bewilderment. "What thing?"

"Um, nothing," he said, suddenly secretive.

"No big deal. Just something stupid," Conner replied.

"It must have been something pretty big for you to wager your car." She stared at Conner, perceptively picking up on the undercurrent in the banter.

"It really wasn't anything, Kira." He plopped on the couch next to her and tried to sneak a look at her notebook, but she abruptly snapped it shut before his prying eyes.

Ethan shut his computer and turned to face the pair. "Vlad the Impaler 8 starts on Friday night. I think I'll ask Sam if she wants to see it that night. I mean it's not like you had any better plans, Conner, so you don't need the Mustang that night."

"Where my car goes, I go," he stated firmly, turning to ask Kira, "Want to go to the movies with Ethan and Sam on Friday?"

Surprised, Kira tilted her head. "I guess."

"Great, it'll be like a double date," Ethan said, pleased to notice that neither of them contradicted his statement even as they kind of glanced away from each other. "This'll be awesome."