Hey everyone, we're back with the next installment.

Shout outs to: Jnr Cpl Scarlett, luveroffanfic, and Syrem - thanks for you reviews (and yes, Conner and Kira are soooo cute when they argue!)!

Hope you enjoy the next stage in their relationship... and please tell us what you think!

the real vampire and Claire

I Hurt You

The next day the team had congregated at the Cyberspace as they normally did. Yesterday's fight still raw, it wasn't long before Conner and Kira exploded at each other again.

No one was sure what had triggered it this time; it was doubtful that either Conner or Kira knew even, but insults had been flying for about ten minutes. And then it went one step too far…

"You're pathetic Conner, really pathetic," Kira snapped, pushing her chair back from the table and standing up.

"Well at least I have no illusions about my talents. I can play soccer; you sound like a howling cat when you 'sing' (he made the finger gesture) and you think it sounds good. Snap back to reality Kira – you suck!" Conner yelled back, getting up as well to tower over her.

Kira stared up at him, her face a mask. She tried to think of a comeback but words failed her. Tears welled up unbidden in her eyes. She turned to leave.

Conner, shocked by her reaction and realising he had gone too far, grabbed her arm, "Kira…"

She spun and punched him straight on, into his face. He fell back with a cry clutching his nose, while Kira ran out of the Café. Trent went after her.

"Conner," Dr. O began to chide the red ranger, but then saw the blood seeping through his fingers. "Ah, let's go and get you cleaned up," he said, taking Conner by the arm and leading him out.

xxx

"It's not broken," Dr. O said as Conner pinched the bridge of his bleeding nose and held his head over the sink. The bright red blood stood out in stark contrast to the white porcelain.

"Here," Dr. O went to dab at the remaining blood with some tissue but Conner drew his head away stubbornly.

"Conner…" Dr. O began, "Look, I think we need to talk. About the whole leadership issue."

Conner looked at him, "You heard?"

Dr. O smiled, "Everyone can hear when you and Kira start," he said, then his face grew serious, "Is it true?"

Conner paused for a long second then nodded, "I know you're a great ranger and everything but I thought I was meant to be the leader and," he ran his fingers through his brown hair in frustration, "Oh I don't know, ever since you became a ranger…" he trailed off and looked firmly down at the blood-splattered sink.

"You feel like I've been taking over," Dr. O stated quietly, understanding.

Conner nodded again, "Yeah. I know I shouldn't be feeling bitter or jealous or anything but I do. I'm sorry."

"Why shouldn't you? I have been taking over. I need to step back and trust you more. It's me who should be apologising to you. I'm sorry."

Conner stared at Dr. O speechlessly. His respect for the former mighty morphin' ranger had gone up, "Apology accepted," he said weakly.

"Good, now we've got that cleared up, we need to talk about the other problem."

"Other problem...?" Conner asked quizzically.

"You and Kira, or, more precisely, your arguments. If we have any hope of defeating Mesogog then we've got to work together. That means you getting over your problem with Trent and you and Kira sorting out whatever problems you two have. Can you do that?"

Conner was silent, "I will try," he said. "But it's not easy, trying to trust someone who has betrayed that trust so many times."

"No it isn't," Dr. O agreed with him. "And you and Kira…"

"I'll go and talk to her this evening, once she's calmed down a bit," he promised. "We'll sort it out."

Dr. O nodded, "Ok then, lets go back and see the others."

xxx

Later that evening Conner's red mustang pulled up outside Kira's house. Taking a deep breath he knocked on the door. There was a minute's silence then it opened to reveal Kira.

"Hello… oh it's you," she said, moving to shut the door.

Conner stuck his foot out to stop her, "Kira wait…"

"What do you want Conner?" she asked in a resigned tone.

"I came to apologise," he said softly. "And to say I think we need to have a serious talk."

Kira's eyes widened, "You better come in then."

He followed her into the house and she led him into the living room, before walking out again. "You want a drink?" she called to him from the kitchen.

Conner looked around the Ford's living room, smiling at the pictures of Kira when she was a baby. "I'm ok thanks," he called back, squinting closely at a picture of little Kira and a brown-haired boy of about the same age wearing a red top. It couldn't be…

Kira smiled when she saw him looking at the picture as she walked quietly back into the room. "We were two," she said, causing him to start guiltily. "You probably don't remember – I don't. But my parents said we used to be quite close. How's your nose?" she added.

"Ok now, but you really hurt me!" he said with a grin.

Kira gave him a small smile, then her face saddened, "Well you really hurt me too Conner."

"I know," he said gently. "And I am sorry. I didn't mean what I said – you have an amazing voice. And I never meant to hurt you; I guess I need to start thinking before speaking."

"Maybe you just shouldn't speak," Kira offered. Conner looked up to see her grinning, "It's in the past now. You're sorry and I forgive you. I've said some pretty harsh things to you too; we're both as bad as each other on that. Now… what's this serious talk you wanted to have?"