Summary: Conner and Kira have a night alone; meanwhile, Kimberly and Tommy get ready for their dinner tonight.

Author's Notes: Did you guy's enjoy the suspense of the last chapter? Huh? Huh? I hope you do, because after this short little series here, I'll be getting back to Trifforia :P

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Conner moaned lightly and shifted in his chair. He felt something hard pressing against his shoulder and he glanced over. Kira rested there, her arms wrapped around his as she rested peacefully. How could he disturb her like that? He ran his eyes over her sleeping form and brought his fingers up, gently brushing her silky smooth cheek.

How could he wake her? She looked so beautiful now, sleeping peacefully in the chair. In fact, he loved having her near him; against him. He just wished he could build the nerve up to tell her his feelings; the feelings that were beginning to drive him nuts. He had to let her know what he felt; to let her know he loved her.

Gently, his slipped his hand under her head and stood up. He laid her back into her chair and retrieved one of the near by blankets. It was made of wool and it had a golden Dino Thunder symbol sowed into it. He tossed it over her and gently slipped a pillow behind her head.

"Kira…" he whispered, kneeling down beside her. He rested his head against the chairs, sighing. "Kira, there's something I need to tell you…I'm falling for you. No, I've fallen for you. Ever since we became a team, things changed. I looked at you differently." He said, the tears threatening to spill. He just wished he could say this when she awake; to have the nerve to say it. "I wished I knew how to say this differently…to say this when you're awake."

He paused for a moment, looking away from her. If he gazed at her any longer the tears would fall and he didn't want that. He didn't want her to wake up, not yet. He looked back at her and took a deep breath, clearing his mind.

"Kira, of all the woman I've seen when we went to school together; of all the woman I've dated, hung out with, whatever…none of them have been able to compare to you. You were so pure, so kind, yet so feisty and untamed." He rested his hands lightly on her covered forearm. "Every time I went out on a date, or hung out with my friends, there was only one thing I kept begging for…hurry time, I've got to get to school tomorrow, I have to see Kira. Or I'd think Mesogog send some damn monster down so the rangers can get together. I want to see Kira." It was no use; the tears spilled. He rested his head against the arm, squeezing his eyes shut. "There was a day, a minute, a second that went by where you weren't on my mind…all I could think about is you, your eyes, your smile…everything."

Kira bit back her own tears, listening to the man beside her spilling his guts. She didn't have to the heart to interrupt his speech. She just wanted to listen…

"I don't…I don't know what else to say…" He whispered, looking up at her sleeping form. "I guess…the last thing I can say is…I love you Kira Ford…" He finished and leaned up, pressing his lips so very gently against hers.

Suddenly her arms raised up, letting the blanket fall into her lap as she drew him closer. It startled Conner, realizing she had been awake, but he only kissed her that much more passionately. He scooped up from the chair and parted from the kiss. He gazed into her teary eyes, smiling.

"And I, Conner McKnight…" she whispered, drawing closer to him. "I love you too…"

They locked once more in a kiss, their bodies pressed so tightly together. At that moment, they could have cared less about what happened. At they moment, there could be a crowd around them, watching and awing as they kissed. The only thing that mattered was the fact they loved each other…

Tommy and Kim smiled, pulling away from the wall as they gazed into each other's eyes. They both nodded, content with what they had seen. Silently, they slipped back up the stairs, unnoticed and undetected…

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Kim sat at the table, peering out into the darkened forest. Today, even though battle filled and full of many surprises, was turning out to be a good day. Hell, perhaps what had gone on today would make it a good week even.

"Hello, beautiful." Tommy whispered and kissed her cheek lightly. "You ok?"

She looked back at Tommy, peering into is crystal clear brown eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine, handsome." She smiled and teasingly kissed his lips. "It seems the rangers have a little surprise for us."

Tommy glanced at her, raising a brow. "Oh? Do I really want to know?"

She smiled and kissed him again. "It seems Trent has taken the opportunity to give us a free dinner tonight." She slipped a card to him and rested her head against his arm. "Free Limo, free dinner, free hotel room and everything. He really went all out."

"Free clothes to." The voice said, startling them.

Tommy spun around, his arms raised in defensive position. Trent stood in the doorway, grinning slightly. He was decked on in his respective color; an expensive white silk shirt, and white dress pants. Even his shoes were white. In his hands he held a pink dress that had red bows on the shoulders and hips. A pink-red rose had been sewn across the chest that rapped down along the left waist and made it's way up across the back. The tuxedo in his hand was a bit more graceful then what Tommy was used to. It was all black with white a white undershirt.

"I kind of did some snooping and found out neither of you two have formal dress clothes-" He avoided the glare from Tommy. "-so I took it upon myself to get you some."

Kimberly blushed and stood up. She made her way to Trent and pulled him into a hug. "You know Trent, if you were my son, I'd be the most proudest mother in the world." She whispered and kissed his cheek. "Thank you Trent…for everything."

Trent blushed deeply, grinning. "Thanks, Coach."

Tommy slammed his hand onto his shoulder, causing him to wince. "Yeah, I'd be proud to. Except all you had to do was ask, bro." He grinned and pulled him into a friendly hug. "Remember that, ok?"

Trent grinned and nodded. "Sure, Dr. O." He glanced at his watch and frowned. "Crap, it's 10 o'clock and I have to be at the comic department. Plus you guy's need to get showered up and ready for your dinner."

Kim gave Tommy's hand a reassuring squeezed and nodded. "Thanks again, Trent."

The White Ranger bowed and saluted them before making a quick leave. Kim turned to Tommy, their hands locking together. She smiled, pulling him towards the stairs. No words were said between the two – the look on her face was clear enough…

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A hollow wind stalked across the barren desert of Trifforia, spraying dust against the black mantle of Vertox. His eyes gazed across the landscape as if he was searching something. Merios stood at his side, staring at the bones crawling with scorpion's and other creatures. The sight was sickening. It was what a true desert of the universe should be – desolate and void of life.

"4,000 years ago this planet was so full of life." Vertox began, his eyes resting a large, worn column. "We are standing on what used to be the town center of Trifforia's first royal palace."

Merios looked down at the sand and scowled. "What happened to it?"

Vertox half-sneered - half-grinned at the column. "I am what happened to it." He said calmly; too calmly. He raised his hands slowly, blue-white energy rippling off his hands into flowing waves. Powerful bursts of wind raced across the landscape, throwing the send away. Almost instant the massive pearl white tower came into view; sand spilling from it's windows. It was cracked at the base, shattered by some type of energy attack.

"4,000 years ago the Second Trifforian King fell to my power." Vertox explained, lowering his hands. "And now…Trey will fall to my hands and take the mantle of the Omega Ranger! The one true mantle he should hold!"

A gust of wind slammed against Vertox, nearly unbalancing him. His head jerked to the side, his pale lips curled into a vicious snarl. In the distance, a black-gold being advanced; clutched tightly in his hand was the Golden Power Staff. Vertox raised himself again and glared daggers at the King.

"So the King finally shows himself?" Vertox scoffed, throwing the mantle around himself.

Trey stopped beneath Vertox and looked up at him. Beneath his mask, his eyes spoke nothing but hate and anger. The man had no right to be on this planet or anywhere near it. Trey hissed, choking the staff as his thoughts drifted back to the last king. He had watched him be slaughtered mercilessly by Vertox; cut down like he was an insignificant rodent. He had taken everything away from Trifforia; it's land, people and emotions. For thousands of years Trifforia had ceased to exit; just a mere shadow of its former self.

"I will give you credit for coming back, Vertox. No one in their right mind would return to the planet they once destroyed." Trey complimented, shift his gazed to Merios. He was just a simple brute; nothing more. "Have you come back to repent for your sins?"

Vertox stared at the Gold Ranger for a moment and then tossed his head back in laughter. "Oh you Trifforian's are so simple minded!" He chuckled, shaking his head. "What makes you think you have the power to make me repent? Your last pathetic king failed at stopping me, Trey. What makes you think you'll do any better?"

A golden beam of energy slammed into Vertox, sending him flying through the air. Instantly, Merios was on the offensive, racing down towards the Ranger. Trey pushed off the ground, meeting the general halfway with a crushing roundhouse. Blood splattered against the brutes mask and landed hard onto the sand.

The Gold One landed gracefully on his feet, fixing his gaze upon the standing Vertox. To a normal Ranger, one would be surprised he had lived, but no, not a Trifforian, however; not to Trey. He knew the extent of this man's power; he knew how far he was willing to push to accomplish his goal.

Suddenly the two powers collided, their fists mashing together. Trey slipped his hand under the evil one's wrist and yanked him forward into a crushing knee. Vertox doubled over in pain, feeling the blood rush to his throat. A quick downward chop sent the mighty evil slamming hard into the ground.

"You shouldn't have come back…" Trey began, the staff burning with golden energy. "Now you must d-"

Merios slammed hard into the ground Ranger, throwing him to the ground and landing atop him. The Massive general beat his fists hard into the Gold Rangers chest. Blood splattered against his mask as his head jerked forward with every blow. Trey swung his fist around, mashing it against the mask and shoved him off.

"You've gotten better, Trey." Vertox remarked, looming over the downed ranger. "But you'll never beat me."

Trey returned to his feet, clutching the Golden Power Staff. Like a flash, the staff snapped up, cracking the Evil one in the jaw. Vertox staggered to the side and quickly blocked oncoming knee. A quick snap of his wrist sent Trey staggering to the right and into a rising knee. Blood met the mask again and he collapsed to one knee.

"Give it up Trey…" He threatened, glaring into the face mask.

Trey dove forward, sweeping Vertox from his feet and dropped to one hand. His legs shot up, cracking the villain hard in the ribs and throwing him across the ground. Trey rolled away and scooped up the staff, waving it before him. He slipped into stance again and waited.

Vertox stood up slowly, rubbing his bleeding cheek.

"Alright…play times over…" He hissed, throwing off his mantle.

And with a simple flash of light, the two collided in a flurry of blows…

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OHH! CLIFFHANGER'D! Heh, sorry :P Had to. Anyway, here's chapter 19 and 20 will be up within the next day or two. I hope you guys/gals are still out there, watching and reviewing! I'll really love the feedback! Love you all!

May the Powers Protect You