Hey everyone, I'm here with the next chapter. Have finally finished my exams but no rest for the wicked - I have to be back at school on the 15th! Am currently typing left-handed (am normally right) cos my hand is dead - I challenge anyone to write 2 essays in an hour on the Bolsheviks after doing an hour-and-a-half paper on the rise of Hitler! Am going to stop here as this is taking forever! Enjoy Chapter 3! And don't forget to review!


Morning After the Night Before

Conner woke up the next morning with a huge hangover and an even bigger headache. He felt as if he had pins and needles in his brain, stabbing in every time he moved. He managed to get out of bed and dragged himself into a hot shower. As his headache eased off, he noticed that his morpher, which he wore disguised as a silver bracelet with the red gem in the centre, was missing. Where the hell was it? He searched his room but couldn't find it. It would just have to wait until he got home from school; he was going to be late if he didn't leave now. Conner hoped that Kira or Ethan might be able to help him. Last night seemed like a blur; he felt that he was forgetting something, something important that he should know, but it was all a foggy haze at the moment. Dr. O was going to be very annoyed at him if he'd lost it.

Conner dropped into his chair next to Ethan and Kira. He didn't notice the look that passed between them.

It was Ethan that spoke first, "I'm surprised you showed." He said it lightly but it was clear he wanted a deeper answer.

Conner winced and put a hand to his head, "Not so loud dude. I have a massive headache." Kira and Ethan exchanged glances again, which Conner failed to notice, again, "You wouldn't know where I put my morpher would you – otherwise Dr. O's gonna kill me," he said to them. He was a little worried now that he couldn't remember where it was. It was very rare that he took it off.

They both stared at him. "You don't remember yesterday?" Kira asked.

"Remember what?" Conner asked. It must be serious, judging by the looks on their faces.

"You don't remember fighting…" Kira lowered her voice, "Mezagog's monster?"

"Oh, that. Yeah. We really kicked his ass," Conner said, a grin spreading on his face. "But dudes, that doesn't explain where my morpher is."

Kira's face hardened. "You were drunk, Conner. You put the whole team in danger. I don't suppose you remember that, do you?"

Bits started to come back, the fight, Dr. O, having to hand over his morpher, "Oh gods," Conner groaned. "Did I really do that?"

"Yes," Kira replied shortly.

"Oh gods," Conner repeated, "Dr. O must be really mad at me, right?"

"It's not just Dr. O." Kira said. "You let us down too, Conner."

Suddenly Conner needed a drink, real bad. He grabbed his bag, "I'm just going to the toilet. Tell Dr. O; tell Dr. O I'm sorry." He hurried out.

"I'll go talk to him," Ethan said, but just then Dr. Oliver walked into the classroom and the lesson started.

Conner didn't reappear at all. At the end of the lesson, Ethan went to find him in the boys' toilets.

"Conner?" he called, hoping that no one else would walk in. He and Conner needed to have a serious talk. A giggle came from one of the cubicles. Ethan walked across to it and pushed the unlocked door open. Conner grinned at him, a half-empty vodka bottle clutched in one hand.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Ethan asked, shocked.

Conner shrugged his shoulders and just smiled at him.

"Are you drunk?"

Conner stood up, swaying slightly. "No," he said, and then giggled as he almost fell over. He grabbed Ethan to stop himself falling and whispered in his ear, "Shhh, maybe I am a little." He giggled again. Ethan pushed him away in horror.

"What is your problem, McKnight?" When Conner didn't answer, Ethan stormed out, past the waiting Kira.

"He's drunk again," he muttered to her as he walked off. "You talk to him; I've had it."

Conner came out, managing to walk upright but still swaying slightly.

Kira stared at him, disgust apparent on her face.

"Hey babe…" Conner said to her with a grin.

That was the last straw for Kira. "Don't speak to me again until you've grown up." she said, her voice low but with barely controlled anger, "Think of the consequences of your actions – you ask me to trust you, you asked all of us to trust you when you picked up that gem, but how can I when all you are is a stupid, self-centred jock? Dr. O was right, you are irresponsible, immature and, worst of all, you don't give a damn about us, your teammates. Goodbye and good riddance, Conner." With those words hanging in the air, she walked off. Conner just stared after her…