T.K wrapped a band around his arm. Well, this was it. If he messed up this match, he was out of Group A. He grabbed his racquet and turned to exit the locker room. But someone was standing there, blocking his way. Lara.

"Hey." She said.

"Hey." He weakly returned.

He walked up to her.

"Look, I kinda have a match."

"I know."

T.K breathed out.

"Lara, what do you want."

Lara pointed to the bench.

"Can we…"

"I have a few minutes." T.K said, moving towards the bench. They sat down.

"T.K, I feel I have to explain myself." She said, looking into his eyes with definite sincerity. "I thought that you wanted to be friends with me. It never occurred to me that you wanted to be…something more. But I can't be angry at you for expressing your feelings."

T.K looked away, emotionless at first. He then turned and faced her again.

"I'm sorry for being so forward." T.K said earnestly. "I guess I misread some signs."

"But this doesn't mean that I won't feel this way about you someday." Lara said. "I just want to be your friend right now…if you can forgive me?"

T.K smiled and extended his hand. Lara shook it and then brought him into a friendly embrace.

"Good luck on your match." She said, letting him go.

"Don't need it." He said, picking his racquet back up.

"And did you see the way he dived for that serve and totally wiped out?" Gabe asked.

"Hey, Gabe. He was pretty good." T.K said. He had won his game and successfully defended his place on Group A. Although none of the Top Guns had won the tournament between the dramas most of them had faced over the last couple days, the five couldn't be happier.

The five friends were reunited around a game of cards for the first time in two days.

T.K then noticed Lara walking by the Open entrance.

"Lara!" he shouted. She turned around and walked over to them.

"Hey, T.K. Guys."

"Lara." They all said in greeting.

"You want to join us?" he asked pointing to a space between Riley and Gabe.

"Are you sure?" she asked, looking at everyone. They all nodded.

"We need to balance out the genders here anyway." Max said, grinning.

She walked over to her spot and sat down.

"I'll wait until next game then." She said, looking happy to be part of the group.

"I guess the only one you haven't officially met is Gabe." Riley said, pointing to her brother. "Gabriel Dawson, Lara Taylor." They shook hands.

"Pleasure is all mine and let me be the first to welcome you to the Top Guns."

"Thanks." She said.

A/N: There you go. The story of how Lara joined the New Top Guns. I really hoped you liked it. I personally think it was better then Welcome to Cascadia. Anyway, please review, I am dying for some response.