"So, you think you got enough stuff to write your story for the paper?" Ethan asked Naomi. They were sitting in Cyberspace together. Naomi took a sip from her vanilla strawberry smoothie.

"I think so." She said after she swallowed. "And I got a good picture of Kira. I'm thinking this could be a good by-line story, if not a headline. I mean, an administrator singling out a student like that? I know it's going to rub the school board the wrong way." Ethan looked at her, smiling softly. Naomi looked at him. "What?" She asked. Ethan blinked.

"What what?" He asked.

"You're staring at me with this weird look on your face." She pointed out.

"I was? I guess I was just spacing out." Ethan said, trying to cover the real reason he was staring at her.

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Conner drove through the streets of downtown Reefside, looking for a place to stop and get some food for Kira. He managed to wrangle a parking spot at the local grocery store and he parked his Mustang and went inside. He picked up some ramen noodles. He knew Kira liked them. He grabbed a few packets and a few "Cup-a-Noodles" then went to the flower aisle for some yellow carnations. Smiling gently he went over and grabbed a dozen of them and paid for his purchases, and quickly left the store. He climbed back into the car and headed over to Kira's house. He parked the car and went to Kira's door, knocking on the door.

Kira got up and opened the door. She came face to face with a bouquet of flowers. She jumped back.

"Uh, hi." She said, unsure who it was. The flowers moved to the side to reveal Connor's smiling face. Kira smiled, glad it was him. He held up a shopping bag.

"I picked up some Ramen." He said. Kira grinned.

"You are a saint." She said. He handed her the flowers as Kira stepped aside to let him in, closing the door behind him. Kira sniffed the flowers, smiling.

"They're beautiful." She said. Connor gently grabbed her waist and pulled her close, planting a kiss on her lips.

"You're beautiful." He whispered against her lips. Kira blushed three shades of red and lightly pushed him away.

"Stop." She blushed as she walked into the kitchen. Conner smiled.

"Why stop? Its true." He replied. Kira threw a dishtowel at him.

"You lie." She laughed. She turned to fill a vase with water. Connor went up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, leaning into the crook of her neck.

"You are." He whispered against her neck. Kira shivered at how could his breath felt on her skin. "I plan on kissing you until you're convinced." He grinned. Kira leaned into him.

"If you insist." She smiled, turning around and letting Connor engulf her in a passionate kiss. Kira was pressed against the counter, but she didn't seem to mind, too consume by Connor's kisses. Connor's hand reached up her shirt. Kira began to feel a little uneasy.

"Wait..." She whispered. Connor didn't hear her. His fingers brushed up against her scar. "STOP!" Kira yelled, she accidentally yelled her ptera-scream. Connor fell back on the floor. Kira stood against the counter, panting. Conner pushed himself into a sitting position and looked at Kira.

"What's wrong?" He asked, concern filling his voice. Kira looked at him.

"N.. nothing." She replied and quickly turned back towards the sink. Conner pushed himself up off the ground and went over to Kira and touched her lightly on the back and she jumped away, fear filling her eyes.

"Don't touch me!" She cried. Conner looked at her.

"Kira. It's me....What's wrong?" He asked.

"Please, just don't..." Kira whimpered.

"Don't what?" He asked. "Kira, talk to me." He begged. Kira's legs gave out and she fell. Connor quickly grabbed her before she hit the ground. He led her to the couch in the living room and sat her down. He sat down next to her.

"I...........I'm sorry." She whispered, tears falling down her cheeks.

"It's OK." He said. "You want to talk about it?" He asked. Kira looked away.

"You...........You'd never hurt me, right?" She asked, her voice holding an edge of desperation. Connor looked confused.

"Of course not." He said. "I'd never even think about it." He said. Kira looked at him.

"And if I ever wanted to ended things....You still wouldn't?" She asked. Connor's face paled.

"You want to end things?" He asked. Kira shook her head.

"No...No...I just..." She trailed off. Connor looked down.

"Is it the flowers? I mean...Yeah, you hate carnations, is that it? Did I get the wrong flavours of Ramen?"

"I don't want to end things." Kira said. Connor seemed to give out a breath of relief.

"Oh."

"But, if I did, would you?" She asked. Connor stared at her.

"No. Never. The thought of ever hurting you makes me sick." He said. Kira looked at him.

"Really?" She asked.

"Of course. I mean, I'd never hurt you. And if you wanted to end things, sure, I'd be hurt and sad, but not enough to hurt you. Who'd ever do things like that?" He asked. Kira looked down.

"My ex." She said. Connor looked at her, a little shocked.

"What?" He asked. Kira turned to him and took a deep breath. She slowly lifted her shirt to show him her scar. Connor stared at it. He reached out and ran his finger over it.

"What...happened?" He asked, his voice filled with fear. Kira took a deep breath.

"It was a couple years back, I was dating this guy named Harold, Harry for short.... He was 22... One night I decided that I wanted to end things....and..." She trailed off and looked down. Conner reached over and placed his hand over hers and squeezed. "He tried to rape me.." She forced out. "And then I got away and tried to get out....but....He stabbed me." Connor's heart nearly stopped. How could anyone try and hurt Kira? "He's coming up for parole....He would've gotten a harder sentence with more years and no parole, but I couldn't bring myself to testify, so the defence attorney was able to convince the jury it was an accident." Kira laughed bitterly. "Accident my ass." She said.

"Kira.." Connor began. "I'm so sorry." He whispered. Kira let her shirt fall back in place. Connor held his arms out and Kira got close to him, letting him envelop her in his arms. "The parole board sent me a letter saying they want me to testify I against his parole...But I can't do it. But I know that if I don't, he'll be let out...He could come after me or something." She sobbed against his chest. Connor rubbed her back.

"I wouldn't let him come near you." Connor swore. Kira knew she could probably protect herself, especially know with her powers, but hearing how Connor wanted to protect her comforted her. She wasn't usually the type of girl who'd let herself be protected, but Connor was different. He really cared about her and wanted to protect her.

"Thanks." She sat up and wiped at her cheeks. "But, I know I have to get through this. If I don't face him, he'll haunt me forever. And I refuse to give him that power. I should testify." She said. Connor reached over and swept some hair off her face.

"If you want, I can go with you, moral support, you know?" He said. Kira smiled.

"I'd like that." She said. She sniffed and wiped her cheeks again. She looked at Connor.

"I should probably go wash my face, I must look like hell." She said. Connor smiled.

"Not possible." He said. Kira laughed.

"Anyway, why don't you heat up that ramen while I do?" She said. Connor nodded. Kira stood up. Connor got up and kissed her gently.

"I just want you to know, I'd never, ever, ever, ever do what Harold did." He said. Kira smiled and hugged him.

"I know." She said. She went to go upstairs to the bathroom.

"Oh, what flavour ramen do you want?" He asked. Kira thought for a second.

"Surprise me." She said over her shoulder.

"I love you." He blurted out. Kira stopped and turned to face him slowly.

"What?" She asked.

"Uh...I love you....." He repeated. "You did say surprise you...." He grinned sheepishly.

"Are you serious?" She asked. Connor's face became serious.

"Yeah." He said. Kira's eyes rolled back as she fainted.

"Kira!" Connor ran to her side. He slapped her cheek gently.

"Mmmm." She groaned as her eyes opened. Connor helped her sit up.

"Are you OK?" He asked. Kira nodded. "You want some water?" He asked.

"I'm fine." She said. "Maybe it's cause I haven't eaten a lot today." She laughed softly. "I could've sworn I thought I heard you say you loved me. Pretty crazy, huh?" She said. Connor looked down. Perhaps Kira wasn't ready to hear that.

"Yeah, pretty crazy." He said softly. Kira looked at him. She had heard him and she did remember, but she just wasn't ready for that yet, especially with Harold still haunting her memories, so she figured this was the best way to avoid that, for now. "So, how about that Ramen?" He said, helping her to her feet.

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Later that night, Naomi sat at her computer, working on her article. She had just finished it and was just reading it over.

"............In closing," she read. "Kira Ford was personally attacked by our Principal Randall. Can you honestly say this is right? I hope you all share my opinion that we should fight for our friend and classmate, Kira." She smiled to herself. "Pulitzer, here I come." She joked. She printed it out and stretched. Little did she know, a secret admirer was currently watching her.

Ethan sat in a tree outside Naomi's window. He held a small gift-wrapped package, it was a gift for her. He carefully placed it on her windowsill and climbed down. Once he reached the ground. He grabbed a small pebble and threw it at her window. He heard her computer chair scraping against the floor, signalling she was getting up and took it as his cue to leave. He ran off her lawn to remain unseen.

Naomi heard the pebble on her window and had gotten up to see what was going on. She went to her window and opened it. No one was outside, but she saw a package. She pulled it in her room and carefully tore off the wrapping paper. She pulled out a box. She turned it over and gasped. It was a computer game and a small velvet box. Not just any computer game...it was "Space Police 3." She had wanted to get it for days, but didn't have the money, and knew her parents wouldn't give her money for another computer game. Her hand came across an envelope. She placed the box on her desk and opened the envelope. Inside it, there was a card with a blue floral design on it. She opened the card.

-Saw it in the store, thought of you. Hope you like it.

Love,

Your friendly Neighbour Hood...........Power Ranger (were you expecting 'Spiderman?)

Blue.

P.S. The necklace represents what would be in my eyes if anything ever happened to you.-

Naomi couldn't help laugh, partly from the joke, and partly out of being so shocked by getting something from him. She then looked at the box in her hand and slowly opened it, and gasped. Inside was a medium sized pendant on black velvet string. The pendent was a sparkly blue teardrop that glittered in the light. She was surprised he actually thought about her, even to the extreme that he implied he'd cry if something happened to her. She squealed with glee and fell on her bed with excitement.

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Dr. Thomas Oliver sat in the living room in his house, grading papers for his science class. It was getting to the point where the papers were almost all the same, minus the few spelling errors. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. He turned at looked at the clock. 9:30. Tommy stood and headed towards the kitchen and opened the fridge. He noticed a few beers sitting on one of the shelves in the fridge, and a bag of pretzels on the counter top. He reached in and grabbed the bottle by the neck and was pulling it out as the phone started to ring. Mentally cursing himself, he shoved the beer back into the fridge and slammed the door shut and grabbed the portable phone.

"Hello?" He asked. A slight chuckle came through the other end.

"Now, is that anyway to treat an old friend?" Came the reply. A grin came to Tommy's face.

"Zack man!" He laughed. "What's up?"

"Not much. You?"

"Pretty good. How's the show going?"

"Great. Actually, that's why I'm calling. We're coming to Reefside, you interested in coming if I'm able to get you a ticket?" He asked.

"Of course." Tommy smiled. "Sounds great." He said. "Who else would be going?" He asked. Zack paused.

"Oh, just some friends from college and such." He fibbed. Tommy didn't pick up on the life.

"Sounds good." He said. "Just tell me when's good and I'll be there." He said.

"Great. I'll call you in a few days. See ya."

"Bye." Tommy went to hang up.

"Oh, and Tommy," Zack said.

"Uh huh?" Tommy asked.

"Great job in channelling the mentality of Billy." He chuckled. Tommy laughed.

"Why thank you." Tommy said. "I've got to wake up for class tomorrow, I'll talk to you later." He said.

"Yeah." Zack said. "Bye." They hung up.

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"Are you sure you want to have this printed?" Beverly, the editor of the newspaper said, looking over the article the next day. She peered up at her. "Randall's not gonna like it."

"Hey, what can I say, I like to stir up a bit of controversy for my first article." Naomi smiled. Beverly sighed.

"OK." She said. "I'll print it." She put the article down. "I have a feeling we'll get more copies circulating this time." She said. "Thanks." Naomi smiled wider.

"No problemo. Only problem is, if it turns out that good, how ever will I top it for my next article?" She joked. Beverly laughed.

"Get out of here already." She said, throwing a balled up piece of scrap paper at her. Naomi laughed and ducked. Naomi went to leave. "Hey, Naomi?" She said.

"Uh huh?" She asked.

"Cute necklace, where'd you get it?" She asked. Naomi smiled, blushing lightly.

"It was a gift."

"A gift, or a giiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiift?" She said, stretching out the word.

"And the difference would be?" Naomi asked.

"One's a gift from parents, grandparents, etc, and the second one is from a guy." Naomi smiled.

"The second one." Naomi smirked, walking out. Beverly's mouth hung open.

"Only been here for a few weeks, and already has a guy.......Ugh, some people have all the luck!"

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"Ethan!" Naomi called out. He was sitting on the front lawn of the school, tinkering with his laptop. Naomi ran over to him. "Oh my god, you're not going to believe this." She said, sitting beside him.

"Bev liked your article?" He asked. He caught sight of the necklace laying on top of her shirt. She's wearing it. She's wearing it! Yes! He thought.

"Oh yeah, she did...But.." She said, displaying the pendant. "Guess who gave this to me." She said, excitedly. Ethan pretended to be stumped.

"Your mom and dad?" He asked. Naomi shook her head.

"Blue." She said. Ethan mentally smirked. She gave me a nickname? He thought.

"Who?" He laughed.

"Blue ranger." She whispered. Ethan pretended to be shocked.

"Are you sure?" He asked. Naomi handed him the card. She saved the card? AWESOME! Ethan thought. He opened the card and read it.

"Wow." He said. "It looks like you've got a super hero stalker." He joked. Naomi snatched the card from him.

"He's not a stalker. He's sweet." Naomi said. She thinks I'm sweet..........or well..........that 'Blue's' sweet.............YES! Ethan thought.

"So, what, is he your boyfriend?" Ethan teased. Naomi laughed.

"He's a super hero, I doubt he wants to date a plain ordinary girl like me." Naomi said. HE DOES! HE DOES! Ethan's mind screamed. Naomi smiled to herself, leaning back. "Maybe, if I see him again, I can ask to get an interview." She thought aloud. "You know, for my next article. I'm sure it can be as good as my Kira article." She said.

"Interview? Aren't they supposed to be like........Unknown?" Ethan asked.

"Well, I wouldn't ask who he is..." Naomi said. "At least, not for the article." She added. "Just, you know, 'what made you decide to become a ranger?' 'How is it fighting all these weird creatures?' 'Boxers or briefs?'" She said. Ethan stared at her.

"You're joking about the last one, right?" He asked.

"Maybe, maybe not." She teased. Ethan blushed. Please, don't ask that. He thought to himself.