Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Author's Note: Takes place right after Shane's Karma

Chapter 4: Defense Now?

Dustin couldn't believe what had happened. They were trying to give Tori a birthday party, but Lothar and his goons had to stop it. To top it off he was orange and they had taken their stuff. They had gone back to the beach and Choobo was taking it, Shane mentioned that it was probably Kapri and Marah who had told Choobo to take it. But Marah wouldn't have done that. She couldn't. Than again…

They were having the party at Ninja Ops. Cam was sitting at his computer, Tori had gotten him to stay off of it, but who knew how long that would last. Hunter and Blake had been talking. Tori was over with Shane in the corner talking quietly. He just shook his head. Tori walked over to Dustin.

"Hey. Sorry about the birthday."

Tori smiled "That's okay. Are you okay?"

"Tori, my birthday didn't get ruined."

"Yeah, but Marah was there."

Dustin's heart jumped at her name. "So…"

Tori shook her head, "Look, I just want to make sure. I mean do you still like her?"

Dustin looked over at Sensei who was now talking to Hunter. "Who said I did?"

Tori looked around, "I don't know, it just…are you okay with seeing her after she betrayed you?"

"It's not a big deal. She's just…she was gone. Tor, let's not talk about that, it's your birthday. Go have fun."

"Fine. But remember you can talk to me."
"Thanks."

Tori looked over at Shane. "Have you talked with Shane yet?"

"Not yet."

"I think it'll be good for him if you did—for both of you."

"Okay. Wait, why both of us?"

"Don't worry about it."

"Okay."

Tori smiled at him and walked off to get something to drink. Dustin watched as Blake walked over to her and they started talking—well probably flirting. Tori blushed and smiled at Blake. He motioned over to a corner and they walked over there. Dustin went over to Shane. "Hey."

Shane looked up, "Hey."

"You okay?" Shane shook his head. "Well, at least…I mean you never know…it's just…" Why did Tori send him over here? What could he say to Shane to make him feel better? He had nothing. He felt horrible for Shane, but what else could he say.

"Dustin, are you okay? Tori told me that you guys saw Kapri and Marah."

Dustin shrugged his shoulders. "Big deal. Saw them. Fought Kelzaks. Fought the monster. Saved the day. Nothing new."

"Yeah, but how do you feel about Marah having ruined Tori's birthday?"

Dustin winced. "Marah wasn't trying to do anything, she was over at another part not doing anything wrong."

Shane smiled. "So we're defending her now?"

"What? No. I wasn't. I just…I mean…I was just saying…Skyla was pretty special to you."

"Yeah. I know she'll be with me, but at the same time, everything was just perfect when it was just the two of us. But our time together was so short. It'll take a bit, but I'll be okay."

Dustin nodded. Marah and him had a perfect time when it was just the two of them. But that was over now, he didn't like her. He didn't like her. Maybe she'd stop entering his thoughts soon. Marah just was not good, but than how could she not be? It wasn't her fault that Tori's birthday was ruined for all they knew maybe it was one of their birthdays. Stop Dustin, they helped ruin your friend's birthday. Right. She was good—bad, definitely stay away from her. No more thinking of her.