Well everyone, this is it. The final chapter. But before people say anything about the way I've ended this I want to say something: I have never been in rehab so I have absolutelty no idea what it's like and instead of trying to write about Conner's experiences there (which would have been very badly written and inaccurate) I've done it this way. I hope you guys like the way I've ended this and that it has done the story justice!

Final shoutouts to: Anakin's Girl 4eva - Glad the tears have stopped! Thank you for that lovely review and yes, I am jealous of Kira too. James Napier is HOT! princess moon shadow - Nope, I'm still here. Thank you for all your reviews. Jnr Cpl Scarlett -Me and my twists? Hee hee, hope you like the ending. Syrem - Glad you liked the Conner/Kira talk - took me ages to get right! XRachX - A massive thank you for all you reviews. Thank you for sticking with me from the start and for your thought-provoking reviews. Ukume - An annoying little someone, hmm sounds like a little sister problem! MzDany - Thanks for all your lovely reviews. haydock14 - As you will see, Eric doesn't appear in person but he's no quite forgotten about! Last thank-you's to: lil sweetie, Gear's Girl, tinaelin27, LJstagflower4e, NinjaStorm4Life, andGhostwriter. And to everyone else who has reviewed, I do appreciate them so much!

Oh a a quick message to all fans of my old fanfic Wordless - the sequal is almost ready for posting!

Well that's it from me.You know the drill - read, enjoy and reveiw!

The Real Vampire


Red Returns

"Home again son," David said as the red mustang pulled into the drive. He was sitting in the passengers seat, letting Conner drive. It had been six weeks since Conner had been discharged from hospital, and five weeks since he had gone to a rehab centre in Angel Grove, run by a certain Zack Taylor, an old friend of Tommy's and, as Conner now knew, an ex-ranger.

It had been hard, much harder than Conner had imagined, giving up the alcohol. He had known he was in too deep, but had no idea just how far into the bottle he'd sunk. Five weeks of what had to start with been hell, a necessary hell. It had got easier, and now he'd been given a clean bill of health and was home.

It felt weird, walking into his room after being away for so long. In three days he'd have to face school and all his friends again. He hadn't seen many since the 'accident', as he referred to it, and none since in the five weeks he was in rehab. That had made him think. Kira had called him almost every night and the others – even Trent – had phoned in at least once a week to see how he was and fill him in with Mesogog's latest (failed) attempts at world take-over. The team, one man down, had been working over time but they had managed.

But Conner hadn't seen anyone in all the time he'd been away; visitors were strictly controlled and visiting hours were mainly when his parents were at work and his friends at school. Maybe it had been easier that way. They hadn't seen him when he'd been at his worst, about two weeks into rehab. Conner shuddered; he'd been awful. And on the plus side as well, his parents were getting marriage counselling and things were improving. They knew it didn't always work, but they were giving it a good shot.

Even Eric had phoned a couple of times, but the conversations had been stuttered and uncomfortable, and so not very long. But the fact that he had called at all was the main thing. The twins hadn't parted on good terms the last time they had seen one another, a couple of weeks after Eric had joined the Ninja school in Blue Bay, and had had no contact with each other since. Eric hated the arguments and had left. Conner had stayed. It made Conner wonder who had done the right thing. He used to think it was him, but after what had happened he wasn't so sure. Hopefully things would get better now.

Conner unpacked slowly; glad to be home. Two months ago he would rather have been anywhere else, but a lot had happened since then. A lot had changed.

He smiled as he thought of Kira. Not everything had been bad. They were taking things slowly, one day at a time. Now he was back he hoped they could move on.

Once he had finished putting his stuff away he went down stairs. "Where are you going?" Lisa cornered him as he opened the front door, "You just got home…"

Conner kissed his mum on her cheek, "I know but I want to see Kira. I'll be back for dinner."

His mum smiled; the mention of Kira had silenced all her objections, as Conner knew it would. "Ok, dinner's at seven – Kira's more than welcome."

Conner nodded and jumped into his mustang. Instead of driving to Dr. O's, where he knew they'd all be at this time of the day, an idea came to him and he grinned as he drove to Reefside museum and parked near the woods. Making his way through the trees he found one of the old caves and stumbled along until he came across the t-rex skeleton embedded in the wall. He smiled as he remembered the first time he'd seen it – the start of a hell-raising year. Voices could be heard faintly from the other side of the rock wall. Taking a deep breath, Conner pulled the jaw of the skull down and flung himself into the shadows to the side as the door opened. The voices stopped instantly and it was all Conner could do to keep from giggling as he imagined the looks of puzzlement on his friends' faces.

There was a whispered conversation and Conner tensed himself as footsteps signalled someone was walking towards the door.

A person walked out of the room into the cave. Kira. She looked around, a frown creasing her face. As she turned to face Conner's hiding place he pounced.

Kira shrieked as a figure lunged at her from the shadows, knocking her to the ground. She could hear the startled yells of the others, but was oblivious as she stared up into two hazel eyes.

"Conner?" Kira could hardly believe it.

He grinned and helped her to her feet. "Surprised?"

"You could say that," she replied, slightly breathless as he pulled her close. Conner smiled and kissed her.

"Hem hem," Dr. O's cough caused them to pull apart, now looking embarrassed.

"Hi guys," Conner said awkwardly.

"Hey bro, you never told us you were getting out," Ethan said, before grabbing Conner in a hug. "Great to see you."

Conner grinned, "I thought I'd surprise you."

"You certainly did that," Hayley smiled and hugged him too, "Don't do it again," she whispered in his ear and Conner wasn't sure is she meant surprising them all or drinking.

He swallowed, "I won't." Hayley nodded and drew back.

Trent stood with his arms crossed and just looked at Conner. The two of them had never really been friends and it had been no secret that Trent had liked Kira. There was an uneasy silence then Trent smiled and unfolded his arms. "Good to have you back," he said and held out his hand.

Conner grasped it warmly, "Good to be back," he said, returning the smile.

Dr. O stepped forward, "I think this belongs to you," he said, holding out an object.

Conner stared at it for a second – his morpher. With a tentative hand he reached out and took it back. He held it for a minute before strapping it onto his wrist where it belonged.

"Welcome back," Dr. O said with a slight smile.

The reunion was cut off sharply by a beep from the computer. Mesogog, true to form and annoying timing, had sent another monster down to earth.

Without realising they were doing it, all their eyes turned to Conner. He smiled grimly, "Let's do it. Ready?" he asked as the others took up their familiar positions behind him.

"Ready" came the replies.

Cries of "Dino Thunder Power Up" and "White Ranger Drago Power" followed.

As they prepared to meet Mesogog's latest protégée Conner gripped his tyrannostaff and grinned under his helmet – yes, red had returned!

The End.