Hey everyone! Thank you for the wonderful responses! I get so excited to see everyone's names when prompts my email. Here is the next part.

Hunter was outside on the terrace with his brother Blake. Both seemed to be animated in telling the last few weeks to each other. Their shoulders were touching and their voices could be heard, but not understood. Cam watched them, sadly. Tori, in turn, was watching Cam, worried. She nudged Dustin, her best friend, "Hey Dustin, do you think Cam is acting strangely?"

"Course he is, dude. He hasn't even gotten a kiss out of Hunter since he's seen him. He's lovesick or something." Dustin said.

Tori shrugged, "He just seems so introspective. it worries me."

"It's Cam, Tor, he's always been intro.. intra... uh... he's always been a loner." Dustin smiled in support, "Let them sort it out."

Tori shrugged, "I guess. Tracy seems really nice." She said, changing the topic.

Dustin nodded, "Oh yeah. She seems like a big sweetie. That Jason guy is overly defensive."

Tori nodded, "I know what you mean. it's like he's afraid that we're going to take Hunter away."

"Well aren't we?" Dustin asked.

Tori paused, "I was hoping so. I didn't think about it from his perspective."

"Well its like... when the ninja's in Lothor's ship come back... Hunter will return to the Thunder Academy. His friends and stuff probably miss him. We won't want to let him go, but we'll have to." Dustin smiled, pleased at his analogy.

Tori smiled, "It astounds me every day when you drop gems of wisdom like that."

Dustin shrugged, "Hey, I'm not dumb all the time. Everyone thinks I am, but I'm not."

"I know, Dustin." Tori said, smiling at her best friend. "I'm going to bug the Bradleys to get their butts in here. Cam is about to bore holes through the glass and Jason is getting bored."

"Shane seems to be void of problems." Dustin said, hoping that cheered Tori.

Tori laughed, "There's a first."

The two brothers came back in, smiling. Tracy and Jason moved over, offering a seat to the oldest Thunder. "So," Tracy started, "How did you all meet?"

Shane didn't even blink an eye, saying automatically, "School. We met at school. Been tight since."

Jason raised an eyebrow. He had been feeling animosity from Cam the entire night. "Cam. You're too old to be in school with them, unless you were held back."

Cam nearly choked on his drink at the thought of being held back in school. "No. I helped teach martial arts. They know me from there."

"All of you guys take martial arts?" Tracy said, "now I can't idly threaten Hunter whenever he's late to work. He's got a posse of ninjas!"

There was a quick exchanging of glances and some laughter at Tracy's statement. "We're not ninja's by any means." Dustin said, "You don't have to worry about us. I'd sooner run away than fight."

Hunter sipped his drink, enjoying the discussion. It was fun having these two groups of people combine and throw back. Cam cleared his throat, "Excuse me, I'll be right back."

Hunter listened as he heard Cam's footsteps leave for the terrace. Looks like this would be the perfect time to get him alone. Hunter stood up, "Apparently, the terrace is reserved for one on one time with the illustrious Mr. Hunter Bradley. If you'll excuse me."

"Remember you're in public, dude." Blake said, smirking, knowingly.

Hunter laughed, "If you keep that up, Blake, we'll defile your-"

"Just go!" Tori said, "Just go see Cam. He's grumpy."

Hunter's eyebrows furrowed and he made his way outside.

"Cam? Where are you? I can't hear you." Hunter said.

Cam stepped away from the railing. "Over here. You didn't have to leave, Hunter."

"Yes I did." Hunter said, "I haven't had a single moment alone with you in weeks."

Cam smiled and moved closer to Hunter. "You still feel that way?"

Hunter stopped in his tracks, his face shocked, open for all emotions. "Excuse me?"

"I just wanted to know," Cam said, confused, "If you still liked me, like that."

Hunter glared, "Why would you doubt that?"

"Well, we never really had anything when you were in Blue Bay, and then you left to find yourself. I guess I just kindof assumed that you'd... I don't know... come to your senses or something." Cam felt as foolish as it sounded,.

Hunter walked quickly to the voice and grabbed Cam's shoulders. "Don't doubt me like that. ever. When I promise someone something, I stick by that promise. I love you, Cam."

Cam bit his lip, his eyes stinging, "I have been waiting so long to hear you say that.

I've missed you."

Hunter quickly pulled the other into an intense kiss. It all but rivalled their first kiss together. When they separated, Hunter leaned his forehead against Cam's. "Don't forget it."

Cam grinned, "Never again. So we can go back whenever you're ready. I was

thinking I stay at your place tonight, and we'll pack, leave tomorrow morning."

Hunter's face dropped. "I'm... not coming home yet."

Cam looked up, shocked. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me, Cam."

"I know, i just want to hear you say it again, to confirm it... I mean, are you crazy? You accomplished what you sent out to do. Come home, Hunter, we need you." Cam said, his arm around Hunter's lower back.

Hunter nestled his head into the crook of Cam's neck and whispered, "I'm not ready."

"You are ready. You beat your motocross fear. You're well adjusted, not depressed..."

"I'm not ready, Cam." Hunter said, harsher than he meant to, "Don't push me."

Cam separated from the thunder, "I'm not pushing you. I'm just telling you that I think its time you came back. If anything, because you have a responsibility as the crimson ranger."

"I'm not a ranger anymore, Cam, you know this!" Hunter exclaimed, "What has gotten into you?"

"This town isn't your home. You belong with me... or us, at the very least with the team." Cam pointed out. "We're your friends."

"And Tracy and Jason aren't?" Hunter said.

"they don't know you like we do." Cam said, "There are things you can't tell them."

"I'm not a ranger, so it doesn't matter."

"It matters to me! It matters to tori and Shane and Dustin! What about Blake? It matters to him. Our Senseis? Have you forgotten all of the students trapped on Lothor's ship?"

Hunter curled his lip, "Cam, I told you not to push me. I'm doing my thing until I can figure things out. Maybe I want to stay here. Maybe I don't care about Ninja Ops anymore!"

Cam's face went blank, his voice cold. "You don't care? I don't think we have anything to discuss further."

"Cam, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way..." Hunter paused, awaiting a response and recieving none. "Cam? Are you there? Damn... stupid samurai powers."

Hunter kicked the ground when he heard Jason's voice. "Hey, dude, you alright? That guy in green totally just booked it out of here."

Hunter looked up, "We got into a fight."

"What a prick! It's like... you live here, this is your turf, and he hasn't seen you in forever." Jason crossed his arms, assuming the role of protective older brother.

"I know, I know... it's complicated. We both have different views on whats good for me." Hunter said, "I'm really upset. I think I need to go back to the apartment."

"Want Trace and I to stay with you? Watch a movie or something?" Jason said.

"No, thanks. You should probably ask Tracy anyway. Have a movie at your place, like a low-key date?" Hunter grinned, to show that he was alright.

Jason shook his head, "No, she'd totally turn me down... unless it was the new action flick that just came out. I know she hasn't seen it and I totally own it... maybe I will ask her over. Does she drink? Should I get beers or wine?"

"Nope, she doesn't drink. Try a soda of some type." Hunter allowed himself to be walked back in.

The group immediately questioned him. "What happened, Hunter? Cam just left, saying he needed to get work done." Shane asked.

Ass, thought Hunter to himself. "We had a disagreement. Don't worry about it."

"About what?" Dustin said, "You two are so tight."

"I thought so as well." Hunter said. "I'll call him tonight. I... just to clarify, everyone, I'm not returning to Blue Bay tonight. Or tomorrow night, or the next night. I'm going to live here for a bit more."

Blake looked down, biting his lip. He listened as the others openly supported the decision, saying that Hunter could do whatever he pleased. "No. I don't accept this." Blake said finally, "it's stupid."

Hunter shook his head, "You don't get it, Bro."

"Yeah, Hunter, I do. You don't want to be near us anymore because we complicate things." Blake took a deep breath, "I'm a burden because you have to protect me all the time."

"That's so not the case, Blake, and you know it!" Hunter defended. "Listen, I'm just not ready. I like working here as a mechanic. I like Tracy and Jason. I like my apartment and the bus driver. Her name is Goldie and she's got three kids. We chat about them all the time. I like my students and the racers. I've got a lot going on."

Tracy cleared her throat, "I support whatever Hunter wants, but... and please, think of it from our perspective, but we haven't seen you guys contact Hunter at all. No visits, no calls. He's a good worker. Hunter is a temp mechanic, but I've offered him head mechanic. He'd be a fool to pass it up. Hunter obviously loves you guys a great deal, we've heard so much of you... but perhaps Blue Bay needs a bit more than friends to keep him there."

"Well put, Tracy," Hunter said, "Except they couldn't contact me, i made it that way. Its a tough decision, and I'll make it, but you have to respect whatever it is, all of you."

Tori nodded, "We can do that. Right guys?"

Shane and Dustin nodded, "Right."

Blake took a deep breath, "Yeah, but I don't like it at all.We've responsibilities at

home."

Hunter reached out to his brother, who took his hands, "it isn't personally against you guys, Blake. I've got to get my head sorted out."

"I was so afraid when I got your note, Hunter." Blake said, "I was mad and sad and many different things."

"I know. I'm sorry." Hunter said, "To everyone. I'll be back, I promise, it just won't be soon."

Blake nodded and leaned back, letting go of Hunter. "Alright, dude, I support you."

"Next step, convincing the green guy to agree." Jason said.

"Cam." Hunter said, "His name is Cam and he is pissed off at me."

The group looked sympathetically at Hunter as he sat back, slipping into a trademark brood. Tori nudged Hunter, "Perhaps its time you call your boyfriend."

"He's not my boyfriend."

"My point still stands, Hunter. Call Cam. Meet up tonight, you and him, alone." Tori

said, "You can talk things out. You know I'm right."

Hunter chuckled to himself, "Thanks, Tor. Anyone want to call me a cab?"

Jason left for the cab and Hunter stood, collecting his things. "How long are you guys staying?"

"We leave tomorrow evening. We figured we'd see the sights for a day. I can't believe Sensei let us." Dustin said.

Hunter winced at the use of sensei's names. He hated skirting around the issue with his new friends. This caused Hunter to stop. He was thrown by the change he had gone through since he had first met the winds. Before hand, he would've had no trouble keeping secrets because he wouldn't have trusted anyone long enough to want to share them. "You alright, Bro?" Blake asked.

"Yeah... just I was thinking about trust. Don't worry about it." Hunter said, "I guess I should call Cam. Does everyone want to meet first thing in the morning?"

Tracy cleared her throat, "Yes, you can take the morning off, but you gotta be in by noon, got it?"

Hunter pulled Tracy into a hug, turning on the charm. "Thanks, Trace, it means a lot. You're the greatest boss in the world."

Tracy laughed and Hunter made his way to the cab.

tbc...