To Fishnet: yes Conner's appearance is like Jay, just add a goatee. Think of the look Scott Peterson went for.
(And no, I'm not making Conner a serial killer or anything like that.)
Summary: After five years, Conner decides to stop running and come home.
On to part 2.
He layed in bed that night, not being able to sleep because his thoughts were still on the events of the day.
"How could she know it was me, I don't even recognize myself but then again Hayley knows all, an old friend once told me that." He said to himself. After a few more hours of staring at the ceiling he finally fell asleep.
(Conner's Dream)
"Will you just tell her already and get it over with?" the man in blue said sounding very irritated.
"No, I swore that she would never know, now I know that I'm not good at keeping secrets but there's always an exception. Being a ranger and telling Kira how I truly feel about her will never be revealed." Conner said.
(Dream shifts forward about two months, to Dr. Oliver's lab)
"Conner, I know you are bound to keep this a secret from Kira, but what are you thinking? That if you don't tell her, it'll just go away because that won't happen Conner. The longer you do this the worse it's gonna get." Ethan sounded pleadingly for his best friend to end this.
"You're right Ethan, I realized just how bad it is affecting me today in the battle and until I do get this secret out, it's just gonna get worse and something bad is going to happen because I can't concentrate on the task at hand.
You, Kira, Dr. Oliver, or me could get seriously hurt or even killed if I don't stop this, but how do I tell Kira that I love her?"
"I don't know, Conner, think about who you're talking to, this is me, the only thing I love is computers, I have no idea how to communicate with people."
Conner could only muster a small chuckle, but neither of the boys knew of the young girl in yellow who was standing behind the wall who had just heard everything.
(Dream shifts again, to the cyberspace about a week later)
"Conner, could I talk to you for a second?" Kira asked.
"Sure. What's up?"
"Well, I don't reall know how to say this so I'm just gonna say it. I overheard you and Ethan in Dr. O's lab, and i went home and I thought about all the times you saved me, in battle, in that whole mess with Trent, you have always been there for me and unlike Trent, you have never turned your back on me. And I realized that I love you Conner."
He just stared at her for what seemed like ages before he turned around and walked out the door. As she watched him walk out the door, she had no idea that would be the last time she would see him.
(Dream Ends)
He woke up with a start and looked around the room trying to figure out where he was, then he remembered that he came home to Reefside.
(The next day)
He woke up early which was a rare thing for him. Once dressed, he made his way back to Hayley's Cyberspace. The place wouldn't open for another hour but he figured Hayley would be there to let him in. She was surprised to see him but let him in anyway. He made his way to the bar as Hayley brought him a drink. She sat down next to him, by the look in his eyes, she knew he had come to talk about something.
"I have to ask Conner, What's with the new look?"
"I didn't want anything to do with my life here and everytime that I looked into the mirror all I saw was my life here. So I cut my hair, dyed it blond, and grew the facial hair. Now when I look in the mirror I don't see that 17 year old kid that you all knew. I wanted no memories of this place because all the memories I had brought pain. I was tired of hurting."
"Why did you leave like you did?"
"A lot of reasons, really. Some that I can't get into right now. I know that i could have left on a lot better terms but at the moment, it seemed right. I didn't expect to be gone for five years. I just kept driving and after about two hours I realized that I hadn't once looked back. So I kept going."
"I find it very odd that you would leave right after Kira tells you that she loves you, when you obviously loved her."
"Well that is one of the reasons that I can't get into just yet. I will tell you everything but only when I can. I have to explain that to Kira first before I can explain it to anyone else."
They continued to talk for a while when they both noticed the time.
"I should get going I don't want to take the chance of running into them just yet."
"I understand. Have you thought about how you are going to do this?"
"Yeah, now I just have to actually do it. I'll talk to you later Hayley and thanks for listening."
"Anytime Conner."
(That Night)
The doorbell rang, as she looked at the time,"Who would come here at 9:00 at night?" she thought.
She opened the door to see a tall young man with blond hair and a goatee looking at her.
"Can I help you?" She asked
"Is there a Dr. Tommy Oliver here?"
"Yeah Hold on, let me get him." she closed the door as she went to the basement to get her husband.
"Tommy, there's someone at the door for you."
"Thanks Kim, I'll be there in a minute."
Tommy made his way to the door as he opened it, he saw the man with his back to him.
"I'm Dr. Tommy Oliver, can I help you?"
"That depends, should I call you Tommy or Dr. O?" He said as he turned to face him.
"Do I know you?"
"Five years ago, I was one of your students and I had a tendency to wear a lot of red."
Tommy's eyes widened as he realized who the man in front of him was.
"Conner?"
TBC.