"Kali, what time do you have?" Theo asked, jumping Kali as she wandered into the kitchen.

Kali furrowed her brow and pointed at the watch on his wrist. "Isn't that a watch?" she asked.

"Yes, it's a watch. I just want to make sure it's right."

"Okay. I've got 12:05," said Kali, checking her own watch. She hit the power button on her phone and the screen light up. "Even if only to triple check." She showed him the screen displaying the time.

Theo sighed in relief, but immediately started to pace.

"What's going on?" Kali asked. She glanced at Fran, who was making pizza on the table.

Fran shrugged.

"Theo?" Kali asked. "Why are you so agitated?"

"I'm not agitated."

Kali rose an eyebrow at him.

Theo sighed. "It's the second Tuesday of the month," he explained.

"Yeah. I'm aware."

"Well, Lily and I always make plans to check out a new lunch spot on the second Tuesday of every month."

"Aw," Fran cooed. "You have a standing date."

Kali laughed.

"It's not a date!" Theo protested. "We just enjoy hanging out."

"Well, given how jittery you are, I'd say you have nerves, and nerves are usually associated with dates," said Kali.

Fran snickered.

Checking his watch again, Theo rushed over and grabbed Fran's arm, causing her to scream and drop the bowl of cheese she had been holding. "What are you -?" she started, breaking off as Theo tapped the face of her watch.

"Is this right?" Theo asked.

"Well, not really," said Fran, blushing. "It's 24hrs ahead. It helps me keep on time."

Kali snorted and shook her head with amusement. "Have either of you seen Lily?" she asked, looking up as Rylie and RJ descended the stairs from the loft.

"Yeah, she's getting her groove on with Casey," said RJ, pointing over his shoulder.

Rylie rolled her eyes and socked RJ in the shoulder. "Out of context, that sounds so wrong," she said.

"She's got a point," said Kali, biting her lip to keep from laughing as RJ rubbed his arm.

Theo's eyes, however, had widened and he pounded up the stairs.

Kali followed after him. She spotted Theo stalking towards where Lily and Casey were dancing and hurried after him. She caught up just as he reached them.

"Uh, Lil, did you forget something?" Theo asked.

Lily paused, thinking hard. Her face the alight as she gasped. "Oh yeah, I was going to do a triple flip at the end, but my ankle isn't feeling it," she said, smiling.

"No, I meant our lunch… appointment."

"He means your lunch date," said Kali. She winced as Theo thumped her in the stomach with the back of his hand.

Theo whined as Kali flicked his ear.

"Theo, of course I didn't forget," said Lily. "I even have the perfect place picked out. You guys are going to love it."

Kali pursed her lips as she breathed out. Oh boy, this was not going to end well. A date with more than one person wasn't a date, and as much as Theo wouldn't admit it, he wanted Lily all to himself.

"Guys?" Theo echoed, his face crumbling.

"Sweet, I'm starving," said Casey.

"You can come to, Kali," said Lily, smiling at the older woman.

Kali forced a smile and waved her off. "Aw, thanks, Lil, but I'm good," she said, shaking her head.

"Okay. But before we go, I want to show you another move," said Lily. She grabbed Casey's arm as he turned to walk away, intending to get changed. "Not so fast. I'm gonna need help from you both, as it takes three. I need one of you to throw me, and the other to catch."

"I'll catch you," said Casey and Theo.

Kali face-palmed.

"That's a good idea, Lily," said RJ, returning to the loft. "Teamwork is the name of the game. The new Claw-Cannon is going to take all four of your animal spirits to make it work, so it's best to work on your teamwork now rather than later."

Kali cocked her head at RJ, raising at eyebrow at his other obliviousness to the rising situation. Could he not see that Theo was fuming with the attention that Lily was already giving Casey?

"I still think I should catch you," said Theo.

"I was the catcher on my baseball team," said Casey.

"But you're the big strong tiger," said Theo. "You'd be perfect for throwing."

"You need strength to catch, too, mind," said Kali. "I mean, you don't want to drop Lily, do you?"

Casey nodded while pointing at Kali.

"Who's side are you on?" Theo hissed at her.

"Uh, no ones?" Kali replied. She turned to Lily. "You know I could always throw and catch you with magic, right?"

Lily frowned. "Wouldn't that be personal gain?" she asked.

Kali shrugged.

"Thanks for the suggestion, but I'd prefer not get stuck in the rafters as a consequence of personal gain."

"Fair point," said Kali.

Theo glared at Casey. "Lily and I go way back," he argued. "We have a history. One that you can't even begin to comprehend. You're just the new guy around here."

"Theo!" Lily and Kali snapped.

Casey's face dropped. "So that's how it is?" he asked, trying and failing to hide the hurt in his voice.

"Yeah, that's how it is," said Theo, making it plainly obvious that he didn't care how much his words had hurt. He just wanted Casey out of the way so he could enjoy the rest of his day with Lily. Alone.

"Fine," said Casey, quietly.

The alarm blared, interrupting the rest of the argument. Theo and Casey tore their glares away from one another and raced for the exits.

"This is just great," Kali grumbled.

"What just happened?" Lily asked, confused.

Kali shook her head and wrapped an arm around Lily's shoulders. "The green-eyed monster," she said. "But come on, we'll figure it out later."

The pair disappeared in a flicker of black magic.

~X~

"Scare these fools!"

"Hey!"

Stingerella stopped her dance and turned to the sound of pounding footsteps. She laughed as the Rangers appeared. "Rangers, you are no match for my rhythmic Rinshi," she said.

"Great. Dancing devils," said Theo, looking between the bouncing foot soldiers.

"You don't know the half of it," said Stingerella. "Attack!"

The Rinshi bounded forward.

Kali punched forward and then gasped as the Rinshi grabbed her arm and pulled her over his shoulder. She groaned and hit the ground; her arm still caught in the Rinshi's hold. "What the hell?" she muttered, rolling back onto her shoulders and slamming her feet into the Rinshi.

It released her and stumbled back.

Kali pressed her hands into the ground either side of her head and flipped back onto her feet.

"Watch this dance," said Stingerella, appearing in front of Kali. Her hips moved to an unknown beat, and then so did her arms. Kali watched. The dance was hypnotic, and Kali had to shake her head to keep from falling under the spell that Stingerella was trying to perform.

"I love dancing as much as the next person," said Kali, ducking out from under Stingerella's punch. "But this is ridiculous!"

"I agree," said Lily, running over. "This is not what Dance was made for. It's supposed to be fun, not dangerous."

An explosion rocked the area, and the Rangers looked up to see Toadie towering over the city.

"Now what?" Kali grumbled.

"Toadie, what are you doing?" Stingerella asked, looking up.

"I'm saving you from these colourful fools!" Toadie bellowed. He dived forward, stabbing his claws at the Rangers.

Catching Lily by the shoulder, Kali pulled her aside. Throwing up a shield as she used her body to protect the teenager.

"Thanks," said Lily, breathing hard.

"Don't mention it," said Kali. She stood and spun around, meeting Theo and Casey's gaze from across the plaza. "Call the Zords! You guys deal with Toadie, I'll stay here with Stingerella."

The trio nodded and took off.

Kali turned back to Stingerella. "Your boyfriend is in for a world of hurt," she said.

"He's not my boyfriend."

"Really? He seems to think so."

Stingerella scoffed and lunged forward, all manner of dancing or spell casting forgotten. She rammed into Kali, hard, tightening her grip on her waist as they both hit the ground in a crumpled mess.

Kali raised her arms, covering her face with them, despite wearing a helmet, as Stingerella's claws and stingers tried to puncture her suit.

"Power of the Phoenix!"

Stingerella hissed a wall of flames collided with her, knocking her from Kali and sent her rolling across the floor.

Kali coughed and looked to the left, sighing in relief as she saw Nick standing not that far away, his mystic morpher pointed in her direction.

"You okay?" Nick asked, jogging over.

"Yeah. Thanks to you," Kali replied. She took his offered hand and stood up.

"This isn't over, Black Ranger!" Stingerella swore. She turned, cast a glance at Toadie and then disappeared.

Kali shook her head and looked up. The Jungle Pride Megazord had entered its spin attack and knocked Toadie back.

"What's problem?" Nick asked.

"Looks like Theo isn't the only one suffering with a dose of Green-Eyed Monster," said Kali.

Nick frowned. "Huh?" he asked.

Kali shook her head and then demorphed. "What are you doing here?" she asked. "Not that it's not good to see you."

"Nice save," Nick laughed.

Kali stuck her tongue out.

~X~

Lily shook her head as she led the team into the loft. "That freaky dance group has some weird moves," she said.

"Yeah, if there was an award for weird dance moves, they'd take first place," said Kali. "Oh, RJ, Rylie, this is Nick Russell. Red Mystic Ranger."

RJ waved from his station and Rylie smiled, politely.

"But then, Lily, you have moves of your own," said Rylie. "I mean, they may not as weird as the Rinshi and Stingerella, but your moves are unique in their own rights."

Lily blushed.

"Maybe, instead of trying to fight the Rinshi the normal way," Rylie continued. "You need to step outside of the box and try a different tactic."

"How?" Theo asked, shrugging. "We can't keep up with them when they're moving sporadically. Watching Stingerella alone is like being put under a spell, my head was so foggy I almost forgot what I was doing."

Kali nodded. "He's right. If I didn't know what it felt to actually be under a spell then I wouldn't have known how to get myself out of it," she said. "Plus, Stingerella's not afraid to get her hands dirty and play rough if she needs too." She subconsciously rubbed the spot on her side where Stingerella's claws gripped her.

"Maybe Lily can teach you a few of her moves?" RJ suggested. He dropped his screwdriver and wandered over. "What do you think? Fight fire with fire, and all that?"

Lily grinned. "I'm game," she said, nodding.

"Oh no," said Theo, shaking his head. "This jaguar doesn't dance."

Casey shrugged and clapped Theo on the shoulder. "That's fine by me," he said. "More dance time for the new guy. When do we start, Lil?"

Theo shrugged Casey off. "You know what? I'm always up for trying new things," he said. "Come on, Lil. I'm a quick study. I'll pick up whatever move you give me fast."

Casey narrowed his eyes.

Nick glanced at Kali.

"Don't ask," Kali said, shaking her head.

~X~

Kali looked sideways at Nick. "You didn't answer my question," she said. "Why are you here?"

"Will you believe me if I said I missed you?"

"No."

Nick laughed. "Worth a try. But, while I did miss you, I'm here because Xander told me about the conversation you two had the other morning," he said.

"Xander's got a big mouth," Kali muttered.

"I think we can both agree with that statement," Nick said, chuckling. He reached for her hand and squeezed it. "What's going on in that head of yours?"

Kali shrugged. "Nothing… Well, nothing now," she said.

"Okay. What was going on in your head the other morning?"

"Can we not talk about this, please?"

Nick shook his head, tightening his grip on her hand as she tried to pull away. "We both promised to not let bad thoughts linger. Remember what happened last time?"

Kali sighed and nodded. The last time she had something she really needed to get out, she had ended up hurting both herself, Nick, and Xander in one go. Granted the whole stupid love triangle would've occurred some other way, but it just so happened that her pouring her heart out to Xander had triggered it.

"I'm just having some negative thoughts," said Kali.

"About being the Hellhound? I thought you liked being the Hellhound?"

"I do. It's just… a big responsibility. A lot bigger than I anticipated."

Nick nodded. "Xander also said you mentioned everything that happened with the Ninja team?" he asked. "We've been over this, Kali, what happened two years ago had to happen in order for you to lock Lothor away, the Ninjas don't blame you."

"I blame me!" Kali argued. "I should have told them what I was doing. I should've been upfront from the beginning."

"If you had been then things could've gone wrong from the minute you arrived in Blue Bay Harbour."

Kali shook her head. "You didn't see the hurt in Cam's eyes when I threw a fireball at him," she said. "I missed him, yes, but I destroyed everything he worked so hard to build. I encouraged him to be the person that he wanted to be, to stand up to his father and become a Ranger, and then I used that against him. I told him he was worthless, and that being a Ranger wasn't meant for people like him. That he didn't have what it took to be a hero."

"But you didn't mean what you said," said Nick. "You had to knock him down a peg, to make him feel less confident in fighting against you. You had to do it, and Cam knows you didn't mean anything by it."

Kali sighed and squeezed his hand. "I know he does," she said. "But it doesn't change what I did. I destroyed his confidence," she broke off, tears appearing in her eyes.

Sliding his arm around her waist, Nick pulled Kali into his lap and wound his other arm around her, holding her tightly to him as she buried her face into his neck. He could feel the cold droplets of her tears soaking into his collar, but it didn't bother him. At least not as much as seeing his best friend, a girl he had known to be so strong, fall apart over something that was out of her control.

"Kali - Ka - Oh, sorry," Lily apologised as she stopped on the threshold of Kali's room. She frowned as she saw the tears on Kali's face. "Are you okay?"

Kali nodded, drying her face. She untangled herself from Nick's arms and pushed herself up from the bed. "What's going on, Lil?" she asked.

"Stingerella and Toadie have teamed up. They're in the city."

"Are the boys ready?"

"I think so," said Lily. "I mean, they perfected the dance moves, but they're still at each other's throats."

Kali sighed. "Let's hope they can keep it together during the fight. The last thing we need is a situation going south because they can't keep get along."

Lily nodded. "Although, I can't help but feel I am responsible for their behaviour," she said.

"Don't you dare blame yourself for this, Lil," said Kali, shaking her head. "They're the ones acting like children. You're not a possession for them to claim ownership. Casey needs to understand that you and Theo have a history, and Theo needs to realise that he's not the only important person in your life anymore."

Lily smiled.

Kali turned to Nick. "You going to be here when I get back?" she asked.

"Do you want me to be?"

"Stupid question," Kali replied. She pressed a kiss to his lips and then followed Lily from the room.

~X~

"That annoying toad better now interfere this time," Stingerella growled as she stalked through the city streets, a horde of Rinshi at her back. She stopped as four colourful annoyances crossed her path. She scoffed and looked from each one to the next. "Back for more, Rangers?"

"It's time you danced to a different groove," said Casey. He tapped his foot against the ground, bouncing slowly in time.

Alongside their leader, Lily tapped her hip and Theo tapped his finger against his side.

Kali shook her head, tapping three fingers against her arm. She hadn't trained with Lily and the boys, but she was a quick study when it came to picking up moves. Her unplanned dances with Vida at the Rock Porium being exhibit A.

"I got the rhythm!" Theo exclaimed, excitedly.

"Great, T, I knew you could do it!" Lily nodded.

Stingerella growled in annoyance. "It won't matter," she said, snapping her fingers. The Rinshi charged and the Rangers met them halfway.

Leaping over the Rinshi, Kali landed in front of Stingerella. "We got a score to settle," she said, catching the Scorpion by the shoulders. The pair rolled as Kali's momentum pushed her forward.

Stingerella managed to release herself from Kali's grasp, and rolled back to her knees, shooting a blast at the Black Ranger.

It bounced harmlessly off Kali's shield.

"Hiding, I see, Ranger," Stingerella laughed. "Are you really that much afraid of me."

"Please. Who'd be afraid of you?" Kali snapped.

"Then fight me without the magic."

Kali dropped her shield and raced forward, swinging a punch at Stingerella. It was stopped by a fist, and Kali looked up to see Toadie standing between her and Stingerella.

"Toadie!" Stingerella growled. "What are you doing?!"

"I won't let them destroy you," Toadie yelled. "You are my responsibility."

"Since when? You're just a worthless toad."

"This is my destiny. I love you, and together we will destroy the Rangers!" Toadie said.

Stingerella cocked her head to the side and, much to Kali's amazement, sighed dreamily. She could've sworn the Scorpion also swooned on the spot.

"What is this, the 1800s?" Kali asked, as Lily, Theo, and Casey joined her. Each of them watching Stingerella and Toadie.

"It's like you said, Kali, women aren't objects," said Lily. "We aren't possessions for men."

Kali nodded, unable to tear her gaze away from the two Rinshi.

"Kali, you okay?" Casey asked, touching her shoulder.

Startled, Kali jumped and looked to her leader. "What? Yeah! Sorry, I'm still trying to wrap my head around what the hell just happened," she looked back at the two Rinshi. "Never mind. Let's finish this!"

"Jungle Tonfa!"

"Jungle Bo!"

Lily and Theo raced forward, each of them swinging their weapons at Toadie. They bounced off Toadie's armour.

"Call to the beast inside! Free the Tiger!"

"Call to the beast inside! Unleash the Hellhound!"

A giant shadow fell over the area as the Hellhound spirit towered over all those present. Toadie and Stingerella stepped back in surprise and alarm, as the black mass growled and bared its teeth at them.

"Toad power!" Toadie bellowed, spitting a thick layer of what could only be described as slime at the two spirits. It expanded and stood, like a shield, deflecting all attacks that the two spirits made at him and his True Love.

"What?" Casey yelled.

"Not possible!" Kali exclaimed.

Toadie turned to Stingerella, beaming. "My love, together we will be unstoppable!" he declared.

"Call to the beast inside, bring out the Cheetah!"

"Call to the beast inside, unleash the Jaguar!"

Kali watched as Lily and Theo sent their own animal spirits to attack, but, just like hers and Casey's, they couldn't get a look in.

"Stingerella, attack, now!" Toadie called as his slime faded.

Stingerella flipped into a handstand and started to spin. She surged towards the Rangers, knocking them down like bowling pins.

"Well done," Toadie praised.

"You were so right. Together, we can rule!" said Stingerella.

"Side by side, you and I are unbeatable," said Toadie, taking her into his arms. "Let's go."

They turned and left.

Shaking her head, Kali struggled to her feet, her hands clenching into fists as she watched Toadie and Stingerella disappear into the distance. "It is so not over!" she said. "I haven't come this far. Done everything that I have done, to be beaten by a toad and his scorpion girlfriend. RJ, send the cannon!"

"You sure?"

"Send it!"

Kali opened her arms and uttered a small "oof!" as the Claw Cannon appeared in her arms. She glanced over her shoulder at Theo, Lily and Casey. "Whatever differences you have for one another, they end here! We have to work together," she said.

"I'm with you," said Lily. She jumped up and knelt beside Kali, supporting the cannon on her shoulder.

Theo appeared on the opposite side of Lily, supporting the canon on his shoulder also.

"Casey, that means you too," said Kali, looking around at the Red Ranger. "Regardless of your feelings, we're a team first."

"Maybe you should tell that to Theo?" said Casey. Then, ignoring Lily and Kali's yells to come back to them, he took off towards the two poisons.

"You have got to be kidding me?!" Kali swore.

"What are we going to do?" Lily asked.

Kali huffed and released the cannon. "Charge it," she said, spotting Stingerella stalking towards them. "I'll hold her off."

"What about Casey?"

"I can't force him to choose us," said Kali, shaking her head. "He has to decide that on his own. Just keep charging that thing, and I'll re-join you once Stingerella is out of the way."

Taking a step back, Kali leaped over Theo and Lily and charged at Stingerella. "Jungle Swords!" she called, swinging both blades across one another and then dragging them across Stingerella's armour.

Sparks ignited, but Stingerella didn't stop. She turned her back on Theo, Lily and the canon, and narrowed her eyes at Kali. "You're going to have to do better than that, Hellhound," she challenged. "I'm invincible while I have my love at my side."

"Yeah? Love is also a weakness," said Kali. "Sometimes, despite the hurt it can cause you, you have to do whatever it takes to finish what you started. I know that now. Soon, you and Toadie, will realise it too. Jungle Swords, Darkness Wave!"

Leaping into the air, Kali raised the swords above her head. She muttered a spell and channelled the energy into her swords. She raked them down the front of Stingerella's armour, causing little explosions, that caused the Scorpion to ricochet backwards.

"Kali, we're ready!" Lily called.

As Toadie rushed to check on Stingerella, Kali glanced around at spotted Theo, Lily, and Casey grouped together. The claw cannon supported between the three.

Jogging back to her team, Kali stood at Casey's left and placed one hand on his shoulder while reaching over and placing her second hand on top of the cannon. She felt a rush of power and magic flood down her arm, spread into her finger tips and then into the cannon. It glowed black for a second, before whirring to life.

"Engaged!" Casey said, pulling back on the cannon handle. "Powered by Animal Spirits!"

"FIRE!"

A fireball exploded from the cannon barrel and hurtled towards Toadie. It struck him in the stomach, causing him to exploded.

"No!" Stingerella howled. "What have you done?"

"Are you seriously naive enough to ask that?" Kali asked, dropping her hand from Casey's shoulder.

"But I loved him!" Stingerella wept.

Despite her feelings, Kali felt a twinge in her heart as Stingerella cried. She shook herself, pushing aside the feelings. Unlike her, not all evil could feel remorse or love. She was an exception because of her who her mother was, and how she had been raised as a child. But, there had been a time where all this could've been different. If she had been raised by Imperious then there is a chance that she would be fighting against those she called friends, instead of fighting with them.

Looking down, Kali sighed.

"You!" Stingerella yelled. She had stopped crying and was staring furiously at the Rangers, her hands clenched into fists as her whole body shook with fury. "You will all pay for destroying my love." She began to grow until she towered over the city.

Sharing a look, Casey, Theo, and Lily nodded.

"Animal Spirits, unite as one!"

Kali disappeared and reappeared on top of a nearby building as the Jungle Pride Megazord squared off against Stingerella. Since winced as Stingerella threw miniature scorpions at the team, causing the Megazord to twitch and shake in fear.

"Spin Attack!" Casey called.

The upper body of the Megazord spun rapidly, shaking off the little arachnids.

Kali yelped as several landed on the ground at her feet. She crushed them beneath her boot, shuddering at the thought of them crawling over her.

"No! That's impossible!" Stingerella yelled. She lunged forward, but got caught in a Savage Spin, which tossed her into the air.

Leaping up, the Jungle Pride Megazord drove their fists into Stingerella, causing her to implode.

"Jungle Fury Rangers!" Casey, Lily, and Theo called.

Her arms folded; Kali grinned in satisfaction.

~X~

Nick nudged Kali as they entered JKP that afternoon and nodded at the booth where Theo was sitting. "What's he doing in here if Lily is outside?" he asked.

Kali shrugged and wandered over to the table, sliding into the seat opposite Theo. "Trouble in paradise?" she asked.

"No… yes… maybe?" Theo huffed. "I don't know. I guess I'm just…"

"In love?" Nick asked.

Theo rolled his eyes. "It's not love," he said, although his usual frustration was lacking in the protest.

"Then why do you look like someone has snatched your heart from your chest and stomped on it?"

Theo shrugged. "Because I feel like they have," he said. "I miss how things used to be; you know? Just me and Lily, hanging out."

"Uh-huh," said Kali, nodding. "But, just because things are different now, doesn't mean what you two have can't stay the same."

"How can't it?" Theo asked. "It's not just the two of us anymore. You and Casey are a part of us now, too."

"Yeah, but neither Casey or I are viving for Lily's heart," said Kali, leaning her elbows on the table and resting her head in between her hands.

"I think Casey may be," Theo huffed.

Nick chuckled and Kali shot him an odd look.

"What?" Theo asked, confused also.

"Sorry. It's just, you look exactly how I felt when I found out that Kali was into Xander."

Kali rolled her eyes. "Oh, here we go," she muttered, flopping backwards against the leather seat.

"Shut up," said Nick, poking her in the side.

Kali yelped and slid away from him.

"Point is, Theo, sometimes you have to let go of the one you love and let them make their own choices," said Nick. "Don't get me wrong, knowing that Kali may have had feelings for Xander brought out the worst side of me, and I would've done anything to make sure they stayed away from each other."

"What do you mean you would have?" Kali asked, furrowing her brow. "You did try and keep us apart."

"Only because I wanted you to myself," said Nick.

"I'm not a trophy!"

"I know that now," Nick said. "But, this is beside the point." He turned back to Theo. "If Lily has any feelings for you, aside from friendship, then she'll make it back to you in the end."

"But what if I don't want to let go?"

Nick shrugged. "Then you lose Lily anyway," he said. "Trust me, giving up the person you have loved your whole life is hard, and seeing them happy with someone that isn't you, is a horrible feeling…"

"We're supposed to be cheering him up," Kali whispered.

Nick shushed her; his gaze focused entirely on Theo. "But, if Lily loves you as much as you do her, she'll choose you," he said. "This whole feud with you and Casey reminds me exactly of mine and Xander's, and it's like Xander said to me back then - he had Kali's attention not her heart. I think that goes for Lily and Casey, too."

Theo's face brightened somewhat. "So, she could come back to me at some point?" he asked, hopefully.

"If she feels the same for you as you do her, then yeah, I think she will," said Nick.

Kali rolled her eyes as Nick glanced her way. "That being said," she added, changing the subject. "We just saw Lily outside. She was all dolled up, like she had an important appointment to get too, the only thing missing was her date."

"It's not a date!" Theo groaned. He covered his face with his hands, paused, and then slowly slid them down as his gaze met Kali's. "Wait, what?" he asked.

"You heard me," said Kali, smirking.

Shoving himself away from the table, Theo tumbled out of the booth, quickly catching his footing as he raced towards the door. He threw it open with such a force that it crashed against the outside wall.

Through the window, Kali watched as Theo and Lily left the JKP courtyard, disappearing from sight as they reached the street.

"Cute," said Nick, sliding into the booth opposite Kali.

Leaning back in her seat, Kali watched Nick closely. "You know what me and Xander had is nothing compared to what you and I have, right?" she asked.

Nick smiled and placed his hands on the table. Kali placed hers on top of his, as she continued to lean back against the leather booth. "Theo just needed to hear that he isn't the first person to go through this kind of heartache," he said. "It sucks, yeah, but it is what it is."

"Isn't love grand?"

Tugging her towards him, Nick pressed a kiss to Kali's lips. "I love you," he whispered, meeting her gaze as he rested his forehead against her own.

"I love you, too," Kali replied, smiling.