Disclaimer: Power Rangers does not belong to me. This story is written purely for entertainment purposes only.
A/N: I'm sorry updates have been so slow. I am in the middle of semester finals, plus I am also trying to give my Adam/Tanya romance theme challenge some attention. But the good news is updates are two for the price of one this time. Hope y'all enjoy!
Chapter 3: Reunion
On the outside, it appeared like any other, ordinary day at the track for rising motocross superstar Blake Bradley. There were the smells of gas and greasy popcorn, the sight of scantily clad trophy girls throwing themselves at any boy in a motocross suite, the oily mechanics leaving their dirty rags and tools everywhere, and managers trying to bark orders their individual riders over one another. But today was different for Blake. Today Tori Hanson was coming to visit.
Tori scanned the fairgrounds, worried she might never locate Blake amongst the carnival barkers, dirt bikes and showgirls. Completely consumed by her search, Tori didn't see a misplaced biker helmet lying on the ground. "I'm going to get mud all over my white jacket!" Tori panicked as she tripped and felt herself falling. Suddenly, a pair of strong arms caught her. "Hey, what's the deal?" Tori said surprised. She looked up, and a joyous smile crept across her face. "Blake! Where have you been anyway?"
"You missed me, didn't you?" grinned Blake flirtatiously, helping Tori to her feet.
"No," lied Tori, trying not to look too eager to see him.
"Yeah you did," responded Blake pleased. "I can tell."
"I don't like you anymore, and I'm not talking to you ever again," Tori said coyly. The two then burst in to laughter at the reenactment of their first conversation after Blake had returned to Blue Bay Harbor upon breaking Lother's spell the first time.
"Come here girl," said Blake as Tori lept into his arms. Wrapping her arms tightly around his chest, she buried her head in the nook between his neck and his shoulder while savoring the mix of Calvin Klein aftershave and dirt bike tracking that was uniquely Blake.
"Let me show you around," said Blake grabbing her hand and leading her through the race grounds like an over-excited schoolboy as he chatted her ear off about all things motocross related. Yet all Tori could focus on was the reassuring warmth of Blake's hand, and the sweet smile that illuminated the former navy Thunder Ranger every time he turned toward her. Tori was thrilled that he seemed as happy to see her as she was to see him.
"This is the place I call home," said Blake full of pride as he pulled Tori toward a trailer that was almost the size of the Storm Chargers entire store.
"Wow," said Tori in awe. "How many other riders do you share this with?"
"It's all mine," declared Blake proudly. Tori's jaw dropped in a mixture of astonishment and admiration. "Come on in," smiled Blake, taking his finger and playfully pushing her mouth closed. Tori was glad Blake missed her blush as he took her hand and led her through the trailer doorway.
Tori wasn't sure if she stepped into a vehicle or a hip nightclub upon entering a room flooded by blue neon light and lined rows of dirt bikes with stainless steel shelves from floor to ceiling. Blake pulled out a bottle of water from the full-size, fully-stocked fridge as Tori collapsed in shock onto one of the art deco, leather couches.
"This place is unreal," murmured Tori. "How did you get a set-up like this so quickly?"
"That's what happens when you win your first six races and are named the tour's rookie of the year," said Blake raising his eyebrows mischievously. "All the major magazines were coming to do interviews with me, and the sponsors wanted to make sure I had all the hook-ups. Speaking of which, that's Paco and Cubby detailing my bike up front."
The two, greasy mechanics waved in Tori's direction. "That's Olie my mechanic, Josie my manager, Karl my publicist, Harry who manages my pit," introduced Blake to an overwhelmed Tori. She couldn't believe how many people Blake had tending to him. And here she had thought how lonely he must have been out on tour.
"And these sassy sisters are Daisy and Trish, two of the tour's most coveted trophy girls," finished Blake, pointing to the model-like brunettes that had just entered the trailer.
"I can see why their coveted," thought a dismayed Tori to herself. "Their chests are barely covered. I guess Blake hasn't been so lonely after all."
"Josie scheduled us in your photo shoot next week," cooed Daisy, adjusting her skimpy, spandex shorts. "We just wanted to say thanks so much for this publicity opportunity, given our... inexperience."
"They look anything but inexperienced," thought to Tori to herself as she regarded the sexily, self-assured sirens. Apparently Tori wasn't the only girl who found Blake attractive.
"So hot stuff, I'll see you later," said Trish, blatantly flirting with Blake as she trailed her finger downward on her chest. "Everyone's partying in Jessie's room at the motel later."
"I'm gonna pass since I got someone special here this weekend," said Blake firmly, putting his arm around Tori.
"I see how it is," pouted Trish, giving Tori a devilish glare.
"Let's get of here," Blake whispered to Tori, his breath tantalizingly tickling her ear. The two strolled hand in hand toward the carnival section of the race grounds with Blake affectionately rubbing Tori's hand.
"So that's your new family?" chuckled Tori.
"Their actually quite similar to my old one," said Blake, thinking of all his friends back in Blue Bay Harbor. "They're never dull."
Tori felt her spirits sink. Maybe Blake didn't miss her as much as she thought. But Blake was pulling her in the direction of the rifle-target game.
"Let's see how rusty your shot's gotten since your ranger days," challenged Blake coyly.
"Oh it's on now," said a cocky Tori. The duo began generating heat as they fired off round after round. When the bell dinged, they laughed as they realized their shoot-out had ended in a tie.
"You two match-up with each other very well," commented the carnival barker. Blake grinned at Tori as she ducked her head to avoid him seeing her rosy blush. "A perfect prize for a perfect pair," said the barker handing them a set of Beary Merry Christmas teddy bears – one wearing a Santa Suit and the other a Mrs. Clause outfit.
"Aww look, you can make them kiss!" laughed Tori as she and Blake put the magnetized noses of the bears together. Blake leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on the tip of Tori's nose.
"The barker was right," said Blake blushing. "They are a perfect pair." Tori and Blake gazed at each other happily, not noticing around them the clanging carnival games, smoking dirt bikes, smelly grease…or the time on the clock.
"Blake I have been looking for you all over," said an exasperated Josie coming up behind the two. "You're race is in less than an hour." Tori heard Blake curse under his breath something about loosing his focus.
"Tor, I gotta go prep for my race," said Blake hurriedly. "But I can't wait to see you again, so I'm going to make sure to cross the finish line first!" He flashed Tori a cocky grin before dashing after Josie.
Surrounded by the carnival, Tori felt like she was on a roller coaster ride. She couldn't tell how Blake felt about her. One second he seemed completely caught up by her, the next absolutely absorbed by his motocross world. Tori sighed puzzled. The former navy Thunder Ranger's mind was still as much a mystery to her as ever.