disclaimer: sadly, I don't own power rangers ninja storm. aww. tear

At Ninja Ops, Dustin watched from afar while Jade worked on the computer. She was the only one that Cam allowed to touch his precious files as he had recently discovered that she wasn't likely to cause any damage. The girl was so engrossed in her zord modifications that she barely noticed Hunter and Shane sparring noisily in a corner.

"So what about your big plan?" Blake asked, sitting down next to his friend.

"I'm getting to that," answered Dustin. He pushed himself off the floor and called, "Hey Jade!"

"Oh mother...shit," Jade stared openmouthed at the monitor. "I just lost half my codes! How the fuck did this happen!" She typed furiously, trying to salvage the rest. "Did you say something?" she asked, staring at her comrade with her creepy blue and green peepers.

He took one look at her eyes and a shiver ran down his spine. "N-nothing," he stammered, sitting back down on the floor. Mentally, he berated himself for being so weak. How was it that a single glance from her could send him cowering like an idiot?

Blake took one look at him and rolled his eyes. "Cam?" he poked the Green Samurai Ranger in the shoulder. "You wouldn't happen to have a pen and paper, would you?"

Cam obliged shooting the both of them highly amused glances. "What's this about?" he asked. He had watched the previous attempt and had managed to turn his chuckles into a hacking cough only a few seconds ago.

"It's an intervention," grinned Blake as he scribbled. He waved the paper out of reach when Dustin tried to grab it. "Have faith in me, Dustin."

"I'm placing my social life in the hands of a guy who can't even ask out Tori?" he asked doubtfully.

"She's out surfing," Blake replied randomly with a blush. He ducked his head, finishing the message with a flourish. He crumpled it up into a ball and elbowed them both in the ribs. "Watch and learn." He threw the paper ball with stunning accuracy, hitting Jade hard in the back of her head.

Jade turned around. Hunter and Shane were still sparring (Jesus, how long can they keep that up? she thought wearily) while Cam, Blake and Dustin sat on the floor, the first two making cheerful conversation. The Yellow Ranger was looking up at the ceiling as though he found it utterly fascinating.

Idiots, she thought, shaking her head as she bent down to pick up the offensive ball of paper. But then, she realized with a smile, she was slowly getting fond of these overly sentimental ninjas.

Jade unfolded the paper and moved her lips as she read. "'Will you go out with me tomorrow night? Dustin.'" Underneath, he had drawn two boxes, one marked yes and the other marked no. She sighed and turned back to the computer, contemplating the situation. Once again, she was torn between doing what she wanted and doing what was right.

Since her arrival in Blue Bay Harbor, Jade had been mostly hanging out with Dustin. They were the most mismatched duo in the area, but neither of them really minded. His happy-go-lucky nature offset her propensity to lose her temper over the strangest things. Though would rather swallow Harlequin than admit it, she was sort of developing a tiny crush on him.

But it wasn't as if she could pursue her crush. Aside from the fact that her reputation as a cold-hearted bitch would be ruined, she wasn't willing to have Medusa or Lothor use that information against her. She had to be careful; she couldn't just wear her emotions on her sleeve. Especially when there were real things to worry about.

She picked up a pen and marked the 'no' box with a little tick mark. Me and Sunshine Bear, thought Jade with a dry grin. What a happy couple we would be. She raised her hand to toss it, only to lower it once more with a sigh. She looked at Dustin, feeling her heartbeat quicken its pace.

Jade unraveled the paper and picked up a pen, feeling a smile form on her face. It couldn't hurt to try.

--

"Ouch!" Dustin rubbed his forehead, where the paper ball had hit him. He glared at Jade, who had turned back to the computer after throwing back the message. It seemed that she had charged it with a little more kinetic energy than necessary to retaliate.

"What did she say?" Cam asked, suddenly interested in the proceedings.

The Yellow Ranger unfolded the paper and felt his heart sink like the Titanic when he saw that she had checked the 'no' box. Blake patted his arm in condolences and stood up to join his older brother. "Damn," groaned Dustin, passing on the slip of paper to his bespectacled comrade.

Cam adjusted his glasses and felt himself smile despite himself. "You want to know what I think?" he asked.

"Dude, not really, but sure. Go ahead."

The computer-whiz returned the paper and stood up. "I think you should learn how to read."

Dustin stared after him, sputtering like a goldfish. He lowered his eyes down to the paper and felt happiness rise in his chest. For in neat, precise cursive, Jade had written four words:

How about tomorrow afternoon?