Disclaimer: Power Rangers does not belong to me.
Chapter 9: Bathroom Break
(Takes place the same day as all the previous chapters)
"What do you think these monsters are, Cam?" Shane asked the Ninja Storm team's Green Samurai ranger and resident tech genius as Blake, Cole, Max, Danny and Dustin also looked on.
"For once I don't know," responded Cam as he pulled various data files up on the Ninja Ops computer. "But I do know they're not Lothor's usual batch of alien cronies. The monsters that kicked all your asses…"
"Dude, that was so not necessary," cut in Dustin indignantly.
"Like I was saying," continued Cam, shooting Dustin an annoyed look, "The monsters you all just fought seem created out of hazardous pollution materials."
"Orgs," said Cole decisively as Danny nodded his head in worried agreement.
"You're probably right," concurred Cam.
"Rangers, remember though that these monsters you battled also knew the ways of the ninja," pointed out Sensei Watanabe from his hamster hut. "So the monsters must be working at least in some way with Lothor."
"You're mentor is a mouse?" whispered Danny loudly to Shane.
"I heard that," complained Cam.
"We shouldn't be talking," pointed out Cole. "After all, our mentor was an ancient princess asleep for a thousand years an island in the sky."
"And my dad's guinea pig," added Cam.
"Your dad?" asked Max practically laughing. "So why aren't you a guinea pig?"
"He doesn't need to be," chuckled Blake. "Cam's so pig-headed half the time anyway."
"Watch it," warned Cam. "Right now, I'm the only one who can figure out who are these knew enemies you guys encountered."
"So what are these monsters anyway?" asked Danny in complete confusion. "Ninjas? Or Orgs?"
"I don't know yet," sighed Cam exasperated. "You guys just need to chill for awhile until I can find out some more information."
As Shane and Cole continued to watch Cam work, Blake found himself gazing over to the mediation table where Tori was talking with Hunter and Alyssa. Shaking her head sassily from side to side, Alyssa whispered something to Tori and Hunter that immediately had both Ninja rangers in hysterics.
Blake loved the way Tori laughed with her eyes sparkling and mouth gaping almost as if the humor had taken her by surprise. It wasn't just Tori's laughter Blake found cute, but her button-nosed, the way she brushed her hair behind ear whenever she was nervous, the way her Australian accent depended whenever she was annoyed, or the jubilant, pleased grin that crossed her face whenever she got something she wanted. And Blake wanted to be with Tori so badly. Now if only he could…
"Ask her out!" a voice hissed that made Blake wonder in shock for his second if his thoughts were being sounded out loud.
"Huh?" gasped Blake in surprise, spinning around to see Dustin, Danny and Max behind him.
"Ask her out!" repeated Danny again as Dustin and Max grinned in agreement.
"I can't," groaned Blake. "I'm too nervous. I'll just say something stupid again."
"Huh?" asked Danny and Max together, looking to Dustin for help.
"This morning, Blake asked Tori to go 'check out his gas,'" grinned Dustin, for once glad not to be seen as the stupid one.
Danny and Max turned back slowly to look at Blake, their eyes twinkling with amusement. "Gas!" cried Blake in defense. "Like for my bike!"
"Man, you're worse than Danny was around Kendell," smirked Max.
"Hey!" whined Danny hurt before giving his attention back to the topic at hand. "But Blake, you really should ask Tori out. It's clear to even to Max and I who just got here how much she means to you."
"I don't know," started Blake hesitantly.
"But Blake, you love her!" protested Danny emphatically. "Nothing in this world is more sacred than love. Nothing is more important!"
"Noooo!" cried Max in horror, covering his ears at hearing his friend about to dive into the all-too-familiar sappy speech.
"Guys, love!" said Danny emphatically. "The single element that binds two people together…"
"Ok, ok, I'll do it!" cut in Blake seeing Dustin and Max both gagging at Danny's over-dramatics. "Just please no more of this 'sacred love' shit!"
Ignoring Danny's once again wounded look, Blake marched toward Tori purposefully. This was it, he told himself, knowing this time he was finally going to ask Tori out. And he was going to be successful. After all, he was Blake Bradley: the macho motocross star and super smooth skilled fighter. This time, his cool nature wouldn't abandon him when he was talking to some girl.
But this girl just some girl, Blake remembered, as he continued walking. This was Tori Hanson: the amazing sole female Ninja Ranger, the Blue Bay Harbor surfing chick extraordinaire, and the girl who could bring him to his knees with a single smile. Blake felt his confidence begin to waiver as his legs buckled under him. But he soon realized it was too late to back out as Tori had already seen him and was waving him over.
"What's up, Blake?" asked Tori as her way over from where she had been sitting with Hunter and Alyssa. "Did Cam figure out the deal with those new monsters yet?"
"Yes!" blurted out Blake, before realizing that was the wrong answer. "I mean, no. I mean yes in that he soon will but no as in yes is not what is right right now. I mean…" Blake babbling break off as Tori started to stare at him strangely.
"Blake are you ok?" asked Tori in concern.
"Tor, I… I…" Blake saw out of the corner of his eye Max and Dustin wearing goofy grins as Danny shoed on his efforts like an over-zealous cheerleader. "I have something to ask you!" squeaked Blake.
"Yeah, what is it?" questioned Tori eagerly.
"Would you, ummm, would you, this weekend, like to, go, go with… go with me to the," stuttered Blake before feeling nervous chunks start to rise in this throat. "Bathroom!" he croaked.
"Go with you to the BATHROOM?" exclaimed Tori in disgust. "Blake you pervert, what the hell is wrong with you?"
"I feel sick," groaned Blake, indeed feeling physical pain from his yet another failed attempt to ask Tori out. "Excuse me," he gagged as he pushed past the befuddled Tori and toward the bathroom.
"And he came so close," said Danny disappointedly, watching Blake race for the Ninja Ops bathroom as Max and Dustin roared with laughter.
"Not really," chuckled Cole, coming up beside his friends. "Poor Blake, embarrassing himself in front of the girl he likes."
"At least he has the guts to try and tell her how he feels," shot back Danny.
"What do you mean?" asked Cole in surprise.
"Dude, you are like are so into Alyssa," said Dustin, smiling knowingly.
"No I'm not," replied Cole quickly.
"No way, Bro!" argued Dustin. "You were like so jealous when my boy Hunter was all over your girl during the battle against those Org, ninja dude creatures."
"Alyssa and I are just friends," responded Cole, failing miserably at his attempt to play cool.
"Yeah right Cole," retorted Max. "Don't treat us like stupid, little kids."
"Even if you are one?" teased Cole.
"Hey!" whined Max resentfully as Blake and Dustin laughed.
"Cole, you have to tell Alyssa how you feel!" pressed on Danny. "I know she thinks of you the same way!"
"Really?" piped up Cole hopefully.
"You two are meant to be together," said Danny firmly. "And you both love each other! Nothing in this world is more sacred than love. Nothing is more important."
"NOT AGAIN!" moaned Max and Dustin simultaneously, immediately turning about face in their sickened state and following Blake into the refuge of the bathroom.
"Cole, love!" said Danny emphatically. "The single element that binds two people together for as both shall live."
"Ok, ok, I get it Danny," grinned Cole, slapping his friend on the back. "I'll tell Alyssa how I feel."
"Hooray!" hollered Danny excitedly. "Alyssa just stepped outside a minute ago."
"You mean tell Alyssa now?" responded Cole uncertainly. "But we're in the middle of all this monster madness and it's important we focus to…"
"Nothing is more important than love!' reiterated Danny, placing his hands angrily on his hips. "Now go!" urged the taller boy, pushing Cole toward the Ninja Ops door.
"I guess this is it then," realized Cole to himself, feeling butterflies in his stomach as he stepped outside. "I'm finally going to tell Alyssa I love her."