the real vampire: Sorry about the long wait - technical difficulties I'm afraid, and that's being polite. No one should hear the stuff I have been screaming at the computer! Oops! Well everyone, this is it. The final chapter. Eight sides of love have been covered and Cookies go to BiccaBoo and Jessesgirl11 for correctly guessing the name of this chapter.

Claire: It's over. I can't believe it. So sad but sooo happy that her other stories can now begin their posting process! Eeakk! Well enjoy…..

The real vampire: Yes, I actually did cute and sweet in this story. For all those acquainted with some of my other stories, you will know that is incredibly rare! However, I am back to being mean and evil with my next story which should be up in a couple of weeks! You don't get rid of me that easily!

Claire: Am really really sorry for delay in posting! tis all my fault, so no-one can blame vampy! (to whom i am also incredibly sorry!) so confession time, i actually justkept forgetting to post! (memory like a fish) and well, then i deleted thechapter! oops! but we had it hidden somewhere else! so hopefully my life will be spared...again amvery very very sorry!

Final shout outs: XRachX – nope, not 'forgive you' but good guess. Thanks for all your lovely reviews! CamFan4Ever – Yes, everything is better! Hmm… I dread to think what you're thinking up in the way of being evil! Thanks for your reviews. JnrCplScarlett – Thanks, I need all the luck I can get! Coloradoavsgirl19 – Conner is even mushier in this chappie!

And of course a massive thank you to everyone else who has read (and reviewed) this story – even you lurkers!

So here we go… chapter 8. Read, enjoy and tell us how you're gonna kill us! Only kidding! Hope you like the ending.

Signing off – the real vampire and Claire

I Love You

Kira hummed along to the radio as she drove home, her smile turning into a grin as one of her own songs came on. Seven years had past since the team had defeated Mesogog and, although they had gone their separate ways, they still remained close.

Ethan had graduated with honours from MIT and now owned his own business, just like he'd told Conner he would when they first received their powers. Trent had also graduated from art school and was now working with a small comic-book company who's latest release, ironically 'A New Force' based loosely on power rangers, was taking the comic world by storm. Dr. O was still teaching at Reefside; his wish for the quiet life still unfulfilled as each year his new students seemed intent on causing some form of trouble, but none had come even close to his original four. Hayley remained the owner of the Cyberspace and her relationship with Tommy was progressing slowly. And as for Conner…

Kira smiled as she pulled up next to Conner's red mustang. It didn't matter how far he had got, Conner flat out refused to get rid of his battered, beloved car and Kira didn't blame him. She felt exactly the same about her guitar.

Kira opened the door to the house they had shared for the past two years and called for her boyfriend, "Conner, I'm home." But there was no answer.

She dropped her keys on the small table and picked up the single yellow rose that lay there. Puzzlement crossed her face as she read the label attached to it, written in Conner's messy scrawl: 'FOLLOW ME…'

Kira turned around and smiled as she saw another yellow rose, and then another. Picking them up, she followed the trail through the house, passing hers and Conner's collection of awards and trophies that they had acquired over the years, Conner's 'World Cup Winners 2010' in pride of place. That had been a tense year, Kira remembered as she paused to pick up the yellow rose stuck nearby. Conner had been an instant success in the world of soccer, leading the American team to an unexpected World Cup victory his crowning moment… so far, but it hadn't been easy. Both of them had worked very hard to achieve their goals. Now almost 25, Conner was hoping to lead America to the Gold in next years Olympics before retiring from international soccer. "Quit while the going's good," was Conner's motto. He wanted to be remembered as a success, not as being 'past it'. He would still play nationally, Conner hated doing nothing – that hadn't changed!

The trail of yellow roses led her through the house and out into the garden. Kira followed then down past the swimming pool where she had, after much complaining, bribery and a near-death experience (well, he always maintained he'd nearly drowned – until Kira pointed out that his feet were on the bottom), taught Conner how to swim.

The trail reached a secluded part of the garden where a they had a bench that they often sat on together to stare out over the sea (there garden backed onto a private beach but it also had a slight raise in the land – too small to be called a cliff – which, none the less, gave a wonderful view of the sea). The trail of yellow roses ended at the bench, which as far as Kira could tell was empty. No, not empty. There was something on it. Moving closer, she saw that there was a single red rose carefully positioned on the seat.

Kira stared at it in confusion. There was no sign of her elusive boyfriend. As she looked at it, a sparkle caught her eye. The evening sun was reflecting off something shiny on the stem of the red rose.

Puzzlement clouding her face she picked up the rose to look at it more closely and gasped. Her heart rose in her chest as she stared at the object on the stem – was it what she thought it was?

"You like it?" Conner's voice came from behind her and she turned, still clutching the rose with its precious burden.

"Conner?" she whispered, not daring to believe what was happening.

Conner took her hand and, looking deeply into her hazel eyes said, "I love you Kira; you and no one else. And I know we've had our ups and downs, and things haven't always ran smoothly for us, but we've come out of it together. You've stuck by me, even when I've been a complete ass." He paused at that and Kira smiled. He smiled back as he brushed the tears that had spilled from her eyes away with his fingertips. "You mean the world to me Kira, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Conner took a deep breath; this was it, the moment he had been preparing himself for. It was more nerve-wracking than anything else he had ever done, but as he looked deeply into the eyes of the woman he loved, all his fears disappeared. It was now or never.

He took the red rose from her unresisting hands and removed the diamond ring from its stem. Taking her left hand in his, he got down on one knee, "I guess what I'm asking is Kira Ford, will you marry me?"

Will you marry me? The words resounded through Kira's head as she looked at the serious young man on his knees in front of her. He was so different from the cocky, arrogant jock she had first known. Back then who'd have guessed that Conner McKnight, Reefside's golden boy, would have hooked up with her, a wannabe rock star. Well now Conner was no longer as cocky and as arrogant, and she was no longer a 'wannabe', and they were together. She couldn't imagine her life without him, and as she thought that she realised she knew her answer. She had known it all along.

"Yes," she whispered. "Of course I'll marry you Conner."

Conner grinned up at her, not his usual McKnight grin that he flashed for the cameras, but a real, simple smile that showed his deepest feelings. He slid the beautiful ring onto her finger and stood up, still holding her hand.

Kira stared at it for a second, the diamond shimmering in the light of the setting sun, before pulling Conner into a passionate kiss.

"I love you," he murmured in her ear.

"I love you too," Kira said softly. She closed her eyes and felt Conner's strong arms around her knew that they, and their love, would last forever.

The End.