the real vampire: Hi everyone, sorry this update took so long to get to you guys. Something major just happened and my life's a bit screwy right now so I wasn't thinking about posting at all. But here it is now. No shout-outs this time round, just a big thank you to everyone who reviewed. Claire also says thanks. Here's chapter 5, read, enjoy and review...

I Adore You

That evening Conner arrived at Kira's house in his red mustang all ready for their first proper date, and he was actually nervous. He'd played soccer in front of hundreds of people; he'd fought more monsters than he cared to remember; he'd defeated the evil Mesogog but this was something entirely different.

Sure he'd taken girls out on dates before – he was infamous for it – but he'd never felt the way about Kira with any other girl. She made his heart pound, his knees go weak, and his mouth dry; and that had just been when they were arguing!

It had taken him longer than normal to decide what to wear. He had considered phoning Ethan, or Dr. O for help, but then had actually thought about it. In the end he had settled on a pair of jeans and a red tank top, normal wear for a date that was anything but normal!

xxx

Kira meanwhile had tried on almost every outfit in her wardrobe before phoning Hayley for help. She now wore a pale yellow top beneath a black jacket with her plain jeans.

Calm down Kira, she told herself as she waited for her date to arrive. It's just Conner, you've know him for ages. Bloody hell, you fight like cat and dog! It's no different to any other time you've hung out with him. It's just Conner…

But even as she thought that, she knew that she'd never felt this way about any other guy before, and that made it different.

Finally the doorbell rang and she opened it to find the object of her confusing thoughts standing outside.

"Ready to go?" he greeted her with a smile to mask his nerves.

"Sure. Where to?"

Conner grinned, beginning to relax, "It's a surprise. Get in." He gestured to his car.

Kira gave him a flirty smile, "Aren't you going to open the door for me."

Conner gave a sigh of mock impatience, "As you wish milady."

They drove for half an hour, Conner fending off Kira's inquisitive questions. "Just wait and see." He told her, or, "I promise you'll like it." He pulled up outside a smart-looking restaurant and turned to Kira, "We're here."

She looked at the restaurant in amazement, "It looks really posh."

"Wait 'til you get inside," Conner told her. "I know I said you could chose the place, but I think you'll really like this…"

Kira's eyes widened as Conner led her inside. It was just as posh as it looked from the outside, but pictures of old rock-stars adorned the walls and along one side a couple of guitars took pride of place.

"Wow," Kira stared in amazement.

"Knew you'd like it, and it does amazing vegetarian food on top of the décor!"

Kira grinned back at Conner, "Even better."

During the dinner both Conner and Kira visibly relaxed, "You know, I was so nervous before this," Kira said, half-jokingly.

Conner stared at her, "Me too," he admitted. "I can't think why though. I mean, I've fought beside you, and with you, more times that I care to remember, and yet…" he trailed off.

"And yet as soon as we start dating we're suddenly like strangers," Kira finished.

Conner grinned ruefully, "Something like that." He raised his glass, "Here's to us."

Kira smiled, "To us."

xxx

After the meal, which they both agreed was delicious and would definitely merit a return visit, the two of them got back in Conner's car and drove the short distance to the cinema.

"Ok, lady's choice," Conner said as they surveyed the listings, "But please, no chic flicks!"

"I promised didn't I?" Kira said with a slight smile. So, her choice… Not Mr and Mrs Smith, as much as she wanted to see that movie the idea of Conner ogling Angelina Jolie while on a date with her was not appealing! "How about Star Wars?" she asked.

"Star Wars?" Conner repeated and then, with a perfectly straight face said, "Y'know, Jedi's like to get their light sabres out on the first date."

Kira stared at his serious face for a minute before they both cracked up, "Are you suggesting something?" Kira giggled.

Conner shrugged, "I might be…"

"Ok, not Star Wars then," Kira smiled as she continued to survey the movies on offer. "How about Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?"

Conner grinned, "Why not? Probably can't compare to anything we've been through but sure." He smiled as he paid for the tickets.

They took their seats and waited for the film to start. As the lights dimmed, Conner eased closer and pretended to stretch in an attempt to quietly slip his arm around Kira's shoulders. But subtlety wasn't Conner's strong point and Kira sighed and whispered to him, "If you want to put your arm around me just do it and stop messing around!" She smiled as Conner's arm settled over her shoulder and relaxed into him warm embrace. During the course of the film Kira snuggled closer under Conner's arm, enjoying the strange experience of simply being next to the man she loved.

The film was very good, but Conner had been right; it couldn't compare to anything they had been through with Mesogog, but it had been highly entertaining! They walked out of the cinema hand in hand, both with identical grins on their faces.

"So what now?" Kira whispered, pulling close.

Conner smiled, "The night's still young, and I know the perfect place."

Kira gave him a puzzled look, "Where?"

"You'll have to see," he replied with a mischievous glint in his eye.

xxx

Conner pulled his red mustang up by the sea-front. "The beach?" Kira didn't understand.

He took her hand and, as he led her down onto the sands, said with a smile, "It's the most beautiful place I know, especially when the moon is full, like tonight."

Kira just stared at him at she sat beside him on the cool sand; this was a side of Conner she had never seen. "You come here often?" she asked.

Conner nodded and said softly, "Yes, when I need to think and just be alone. It's my favourite place." He quirked his famous McKnight grin, "Just like you're my favourite girl."

Kira laughed, "I bet you say that to every girl you bring here."

The smile faded slightly from Conner's face, "Actually you're the first girl I've brought here," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Kira was speechless. "Come on," he jumped up and took her hand.

They walked along the deserted beach, hand in hand. The moonlight had turned the sea into a brilliant oasis of silver, which reflected in Kira's hazel eyes. Conner couldn't help staring at her.

"What?" she asked, catching the look on his face.

"Nothing. It's just… You're so beautiful right now," he whispered to her.

She smiled as they leaned in for a kiss, and as they broke apart she realised she had been waiting for – something.

"What's wrong?" Conner asked, seeing a look pass across her face.

"I don't know, I just have this feeling…" Then it struck her, she had been waiting for her morpher to beep, or for a monster to appear, "You know, it would have been about this time that Mesogog would have sent a monster down to earth."

Conner grinned, "He might have been an evil lizard hell-bent on world take-over but you can't diss his timing. He always knew the most awkward moments to attack! And I know what you mean; I keep waiting for Dr. O to contact us and tell us he's back or something. It's… weird."

Kira nodded in agreement, "Well he's gone now. If he'd interrupted us tonight, I'd have seriously kicked his ass." She added, quite fiercely.

"You're my own warrior woman," Conner laughed.

Kira grinned as he bent down to capture her mouth in a sweet kiss. "You're adorable Conner," she murmured in his ear.

He pulled back and stared into her hazel eyes, "And I adore you," he said to her, before drawing Kira into another breath-taking kiss.

xxx

Conner drove her home, like a perfect gentleman, and they kissed goodnight on Kira's doorstep.

"See you tomorrow," she whispered.

"You can count on it," Conner replied, flashing her his trademark McKnight grin.

He waited until Kira had shut her door before turning to get into his red mustang, a massive grin plastered across his face. Yes, life was just perfect!