Thanks for the review. I apologize for any errors in this chapter. I will go back and check again. Enjoy and don't forget to review.

Chapter Twenty Two

"It doesn't change the way I or him feel about you"

"Dustin," Marah started to said, but Dustin stopped her.

"Please just hear me out; since I met you, my feelings for you have been growing. I can't stop thinking about whenever I'm away from you. When you were missing, I was scared and thought that I would never see you again," He grabs one of her hands and held it his hands "It got me thinking that I should tell you how I really feel".

Marah knew what Dustin was trying to say. She also felt the same way about him, but was unsure if she should tell him.

"Marah," he continues "I like you," he finally said it "I really like you and I was hoping that you would give me a chance to know you. I promise I would never leave you nor hurt you no matter what happened. What do you say?"

"I," she looked down hesitated. In her mind, she can't forget what Fake Marah said to her. She really doesn't want to be a burden to him.

"Marah?" She looked up at him. She can sense that he was nervous to hear her answer.

"I," She looked up at him still hesitating. She knew really want to be with him, but still have doubt about it. Still she doesn't want to hurt him by saying that she can't

Dustin was still waiting for her answer. She sighs and placed her hand over his hand that was holding her other hand "Dustin, I..."

A rustling sound was heard and Dustin and Marah turned toward the direction of the noise.

"What was that noise?" Dustin got up and help Marah get up. Then he and Marah went and see what was making the noise. To their surprised, it was Shane and Skyla hiding behind a huge bushes spying on them.

"Hey! What are you guys doing back here?" Dustin folds his arms glaring at the air red ranger.

Skyla glances over at Shane who was trying to come up with an explanation.

"We were scavenger hunting and accidently stumble upon you and Marah," Shane quickly answered, hoping the earth yellow ranger would believe.

"Scavenger hunting?"

"Yeah!" Shane smiles "You know where you have to collect all the items on list to win".

Dustin smirks "So, where is your list then, Shane?"

"Busted!" Shane sighs "Fine, we were spying on you and Marah," he admitted.

"Oh," Dustin slightly chuckles.

"Why are you two spying on me and Dustin? Marah asked Why didn't you two spy on Blake and Tori?"

"Actually, I only tag along with Shane because he ask me to," Skyla said.

"We would, but Blake would know right away that we are there," Shane explained.

"Hm, I see".

"Hey!" Blake's voice shouted "What's going on?" he asked as he and Tori walked over to Dustin and Marah.

"Shane, Skyla? What are you two doing here?" Tori asked when she saw them.

"Spying," Dustin simply replied, feeling a little annoyance.

"Spying?" Tori and Blake turned and looked at Shane and Skyla.

"You two were spying on them?" Blake asked slightly chuckled.

Shane nods "Yes, we were spying on them," He turned and looked to Dustin "Dude, I'm sorry for spying on you and Marah".

Dustin smiles "Nah, it's ok dude, I'm not upset, but you did interrupted us though," he clasps hands with Shane.

"I know," Shane smiles "It won't happen again".

Skyla notices Marah was quiet and haven't said a word "Marah?" She walked over "Can I talk to you alone?"

"Uh... Okay," Marah turned and looked at Dustin "I'm going go with Skyla if that's ok with you".

"Sure, go ahead," Dustin smiles "We'll talk later".

Marah nods with a smile

Shane kisses Skyla on the cheek "I'll see you later and be careful," he told her.

"Okay," Skyla replied before she and Marah left.

Tori who was watching Marah and Skyla leaving turned and looked at Dustin "Hey Dustin, can I talk with you?"

"Sure, but let me do something first," he went over to Blake "Hey man, do you mind if I borrow your girlfriend?" he whispers in the Navy Thunder ranger' ear.

"Yeah, it not problem at all," Blake said with a smile, knowing that Dustin was joking around. "Beside me and Shane are going head over to the dirt track to look for Hunter".

"Thanks, I'll catch up with you guys at the dirt track," Dustin said before he left with Tori.

Then Shane and Blake left and went over to the dirt track.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Are you and Marah okay?" Tori asked as she and Dustin was walking side by side.

"We are fine," He looked at her slightly confused "Why?"

"I notices something was bothering Marah lately and I was wondering if you knew about it".

"Apparently no, she doesn't tell me about it," Dustin sighs "I tried asking her, but she said she was okay and that she was worried about Kapri".

"Kapri?" Tori blinks her eyes "Isn't she on Luthor side though?"

"Yeah"

"Hm, it weird that we haven't seen Kapri appears and attack us," Tori looked at Dustin who was looking at somewhere else.

"Yeah," he agreed "If you actually knew the truth, you would understand," he thought.

"Do you think Kapri might be good? Tori asked all of sudden and Dustin looked at her.

"She could be"

"Then how come she hasn't showed up or talk to Marah?" Tori asked.

"Maybe she busy," Dustin assumed even though he knew the truth.

"You could be right," Tori agreed with a smile.

They continue to walk ahead when Tori spokes again "Did Marah told you what happened in the alternate universe?"

Dustin nods

"Everything?" She asked, slightly confused and Dustin looked at her.

"If you talking about the kiss that my alternate self had with Marah. Then yes".

"So, how do you feel, knowing about it?"

Dustin tightens his fist "Angry like I want to punch the living crap out of him!"

Tori can't help but laughs "That would mean you would be hurting yourself," she joked.

Dustin glares at her before a smile appears on his face "Ha, ha, very funny".

"Sorry," Tori giggles, but then she stopped.

"I confess my feelings to her," Dustin said a moment later.

"Wow," Tori blinks her eyes in surprised "What did she say?"

"I don't know, she didn't give me answers since we got interrupted"

"Oh, but do you know if she felt the same way about you?"

"I'm not sure if she felt the same way about me," he sadly said.

"Don't worry, Dustin," She touches his shoulder "I'm sure she has feeling for you, give her some time and eventually she will talk to you".

Dustin smiles "You probably right, let's head over to the dirt track"

Tori nodded and follow Dustin.

XXXXXXXXXX

At the dirt track, Hunter was sitting on his dirt bike while Kaitlyn was standing next to him.

"I don't know about this," she said, unsure if she should do this.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine," Hunter assured her "Beside I got your back".

She sighs and looked at him "Fine, I'll give a try," she finally agreed.

"Great!" He got off his dirt bike "Go ahead and get on".

Kaitlyn got on Hunter's dirt bike, placing her hand on the handle of the bike. Then Hunter shows her how to work the dirt bike and tell the name for the parts on the dirt bike.

Blake and Shane arrive at the dirt track and notices Hunter was with Kaitlyn.

"He's teaching her how to ride his bike," Blake smirks and folds his arms "Now this I gotta see for myself".

"I can't wait to see how this turn out," Shane added also folding his arms.

"Now that you know everything about the bike, you are ready," Hunter said.

"I'm not sure if I'm ready," Kaitlyn hesitates, worried that she might wreck Hunter's bike.

Dustin and Tori arrive three minute later and walked over to Shane and Blake.

"Hey, what's going on?" Tori asked.

"Check it out," Blake points to Hunter and Kaitlyn.

"Whoa," Dustin laughs "You're kidding me right? He turned and looked at Blake "Hunter is teaching Kaitlyn how to ride his bike?"

"Yeah," Shane smiles.

"Wow! You don't see that everyday," Tori remarked with a smile.

"Man, I got to see this!" Dustin beamed

"If it makes you feel better," Hunter smiles "I sit right behind and help you" he offered

"I think that would be better," Kaitlyn agreed and Hunter got on the bike right behind her. Then he wrapped his arm around her, placing his hands over her hands that were on the handle of the bike.

"Ok, to take off, you need to take it easy and press slowly on the handle," he shows her where to press "Now give a try".

"Okay," Kaitlyn presses the handle, but accidently press it too hard "Ah!" she shrieks as the bike took off really fast and Hunter flew off the bike to the ground on his back.

"Ooh!" Shane, Blake, Tori, and Dustin cringe.

"That gotta hurt!" Blake remarked.

"Hunter, help!" Kaitlyn shouted as she was swirling on the bike.

Hunter got up with one hand behind his back and start chasing after Kaitlyn.

"Look at him run!" Shane laughs and receives a whack in the head by Tori and Blake. Dustin hits him the arm.

"Ouch! That hurt you know," he rubs the back of his head and then his arm.

"Kaitlyn look out!" Hunter shouted as he notices she was about to crash into a tree.

Shane who notices what was happening, reacting quickly using his ninja power: wind, moving the bike away from the tree.

Dustin, Tori, and Blake sighs.

"That was a close call," Dustin looked at Shane "Thank god you use your power, Shane".

"Yeah, but I really hope I don't get trouble by Sensei for using my ninja power," he said, worried how Sensei would react when he find out.

"Don't worry Shane, Sensei will understand," Tori assured him.

Hunter managed to catch up to Kaitlyn and got back on the bike, helping Kaitlyn take control of the bike "Ok, it's ok, I got it," he slows down the bike.

Kaitlyn finally took control of the bike with Hunter help and was able to learn to ride the bike after a few minute of struggling.

"Hey, you got it!" Hunter smiles when he sees that she was able to ride his bike.

"I did it!" she exclaimed.

"Since you did well, how about we get some ice cream," he suggests.

"Sound good to me" Kaitlyn says and continues to drive, feeling wind blowing in her hair. Unexpectedly, she felt Hunter wrapped his arm around her waist. She looked down slightly blush and smile.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Marah, I know what's bothering you," Skyla said as she and Marah was walking.

"You do?"

Skyla nodded "I know that you were hesitating to Dustin how you really feel about him because you're worried that something might happen to you and also you feel that you are a burden to him. Am I right?"

"Yes," Marah looked at Skyla confused "But how did you know?"

"I can feel what your heart was thinking," Skyla explained "It like reading your mind".

"I see"

"Marah," Skyla smiles "Dustin doesn't think that way of you. He cared for you and wants to be there for you. So don't consider a burden to him or anyone because you're not"

"But you don't understand I..." Marah begins, but got interrupt by Skyla.

"I do understand Marah, you have doubt because of Fake Marah is still out there and you worried that Dustin would get hurt".

Tears starting to form in Marah's eyes "I don't want to see him get hurt by Fake Marah or Lothor," she admitted "I can't be with Dustin knowing that Fake Marah is out using my power hurting people.

Skyla touches Marah's arms "Don't worry Marah, the others especially Cam is finding a way to stopped Fake Marah and to get your power back," she assured.

"Still, I can't help but worried".

"I understand that"

"What should I do?" Marah asked still unsure what she should do.

"You tell Dustin how you feel and maybe open up to him instead of keeping everything to yourself." Skyla give an advice, hoping Marah would agree.

Marah thought about what Skyla said for a minute before making a decision. She looked at Skyla and nodded.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Zurgane!"

"Yes sir!" Zurgane came rushing in and looked at Lothor who was sitting in his chair.

"Have you seen Kapri?"

"No sir, I haven't," Zurgane shook his head "Maybe she went to visit a friend or something," he assumed.

"Visiting?" Lothor looked at Zurgane "That's weird; she should be back by now".

"Maybe, she stays with a friend a bit long"

"Hm," Lothor put a hand under his chin "Oh well, I deal with Kapri later, Zurgane sent down the Kalzaks and attack the rangers".

Yes, right away sir," Zurgane nods and left.

Watching from a far, Fake Marah turned away with a serious look on her face "While he busy with the rangers, I can deal with Marah," she begins to walked away "There can only be one Marah and that is me," she said before teleporting away.

XXXXXXXXXX

Hunter walked over to Kaitlyn holding two ice cream cones. She was sitting on Hunter's bike with one arm on top of the bike's handle.

"Here," he gave one of the ice cream cones to her and she took it with a smile on her face.

"Thanks"

"No problem"

They were about to eat their ice cream cones when a truck pass by them splashing cold water on them.

"Ah!" Kaitlyn shrieked.

"Hey!" Hunter shouted "Watch where you going you moron!" He then turned back and looked at Kaitlyn who was giggling "You're alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, but our ice creams is not," She and Hunter looked at the ice cream cones lying on the ground.

Hunter smiles "I'll go get another one," he begins to walked away when Kaitlyn grabs his arm.

"No, it's okay, don't worry about it," She smiles, but suddenly stop when she notices the Kalzaks appears behind Hunter from a far".

"What is it?" Hunter notices Kaitlyn's expression and turned around to see what she was staring at "Oh you got to be kidding me!" he got into his fighting pose as the Kalzaks approach up to them. He was standing in front of Kaitlyn protecting her.

Dustin, Shane, Tori, and Blake shows up and got into their fighting pose.

"Hey guys, mind if we join you?" Shane asked, looking at Hunter and Kaitlyn.

"Not a problem at all," Hunter answered.

"Let's get the suckers!" Blake exclaimed before he and other rangers attack the Kalzaks.

Hunter pulled Kaitlyn behind him as the Kalzaks charges at him. He kicks two of them in the stomach as the other Kalzaks comes rushing at him. One of the Kalzaks pushes him from behind and he collides into Kaitlyn with their lips almost touching. Their eyes were widen in shock and surprised.

"Sorry," he apologizes to her before he left to go fight the Kalzaks

Kaitlyn was standing next to Hunter's bike watching them fight. She was worried that Lothor might found out where she was when a Kalzak approaches her from behind. The Kalzak was about to attack her when someone tap his shoulder.

"Excuse me," The kalzak turned around and saw Dustin "But you shouldn't be attacking a woman," Dustin says before he kicks the Kalzak in the stomach, sending it flying "You're alright?" He turned and looked at Kaitlyn

"Yeah, I'm fine, thank you"

"You're welcome," he said before he took off and help the others.

Suddenly Zurgane appears and attack Hunter from behind. Kaitlyn gasps "Oh no!"

Hunter got up and looked at Zurgane "Okay, if that's how you want to play it," he said before he morphed.

Then he attack Zurgane with his Thunder staff.

The other rangers soon morph into the ranger form and fought off the Kalzaks with their weapons.

Kaitlyn want to help, but knew if she make a move Zurgane would figure who she is and then Lothor would also know. Quickly, she looked around for a place to change herself into the cloaked figure. She saw small storage room and quickly ran inside of it.

Zurgane blasts Hunter in the chest, knocking his Thunder Staff out his hand. Then he grabs the Thunder Staff and aim at Hunter who demorph, lying on the ground

"Now die!" Zurgane swings the Thunder Staff down at Hunter who shields himself with his hands when a sword blocks the Thunder Staff from hitting Hunter.

Hunter and Zurgane looked up and was surprise to see the person wearing the black cloak.

"YOU!" Zurgane growls.

The person wearing the black cloak smirks "Surprise to see me," she said before she kicks in the stomach. Then she extends her hand out to Hunter who grabs it.

"Thanks," he said after he got up the ground.

The person wearing the black cloak nods "Here," she gave him his Thunder staff "

"This is not over, I'll be back," Zurgane growls and disappears as Dustin, Shane, Tori, and Blake ran over to Hunter and the person wearing the black cloak.

"Are you okay, Hunter?" Blake asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine, thanks to," he turned to look at the person wearing the black cloak and notices she was gone. "Where did she go?" he looked around.

Shane shrugs "I don't know".

"Wait a second," Tori notices someone was missing "Where's Kaitlyn?"

"Oh no," Hunter eyes widen "Kaitlyn!" he turned to looked for her when he saw her standing by his bike. He ran over to her with a smile "Are you okay?"

Before Hunter can react, Kaitlyn went up to him and hug him "I should be asking you that, I was worried about you when I saw you got attack by the monster".

He smiles and hugs her back "It fine now, I'm okay," he assured her.

Suddenly Hunter and Kaitlyn heard someone clear their throat and they let go.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you two, but we need to head back to Ninja Ops and ask Cam what's going," Shane said.

Hunter nods "Let's go".

They all left to Ninja Ops

XXXXXXXXXX

Cam was busy at his computer when Marah and Skyla. Without looking, Cam already knew who it was "Hey Marah, Hey Skyla".

"Hey Cam," the girls replied.

"Is Dustin and others here yet?" Marah asked.

Cam shook his head "No, but they're heading over here," he turned around in chair looking at Marah and Skyla "Why? Is something wrong?"

Marah and Skyla shook their head.

"No, it's nothing, Marah just want to talk to Dustin about something," Skyla explained with a smile.

"Oh," Cam folds his arms and smile.

Marah looking down hiding her blushing

"How about letting your cousin know what it is?"

Skyla chuckles "Cam, you know she can't tell you. It's between her and Dustin".

"I was kidding," Cam chuckled.

Suddenly Dustin, Shane, Tori, Blake, Hunter, and Kaitlyn came walking in. Dustin was surprise to see Marah.

"Marah," he walked over to her.

"Dustin, can I talk to you?" she asked.

Dustin nodded and follows her, but then stop and looked at Shane "No spying," he points his finger at the air red ranger and smile.

"Okay, I won't," Shane chuckles, putting his hands up.

After Dustin and Marah, Hunter turned and looked at Cam "Zurgane and the Kalzaks attack us earlier, do you know what's going on?"

"Something tells me that Lothor is up to something, but I'll look into it"

Kaitlyn starting to back away and turned toward the exit "I can't stay here long; I need to go back onto Lothor's ship. I have to find out what's going on. If I don't go back then some bad might happen. Plus, I still need to find a way to save Marah" She glances over at Hunter who busy at the computer with the others talking to Cam "Thank you Hunter for showing me good time that I would never forget. I'm sorry I won't have a chance to say goodbye, but this is goodbye for now. Please forgive me". Making sure no one was watching, she teleports away.

XXXXXXXXXX

Dustin and Marah were walking along Blue Bay Point next to each other. It was silence between them. Dustin glances over at Marah who was looking down.

"Are you okay?" he asked with concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine," She stopped walking and looked at him "Dustin, about what you told me..."

"Marah," he interrupts her and grabs her hand "I know you have a lot thing on your mind. So if you're not ready, its okay," he smiles "I totally understand".

She looked down at his hand that was holding her hand and then looked up at him "Dustin, I..." she sighs "I really like you too," she finally said it "I'm sorry I didn't tell you before when you confessed to me. The reason is that I had doubt about you and me. I was afraid that this relationship won't work and also being with me would put in danger especially when Lothor and Fake imposter of me is after me".

Dustin smiles and shakes his head "Marah, that's the risk I'm willing take. I'll promise I will protect and will found a way to save you. Being with you is one thing I would never regret," he told him.

"But I was evil before," she sadly mentioned.

"It's true that you were evil once," he pats her hands "But you are good now".

"Dustin, there is something you need to know," she pulled her hand away from his hand and turn away "The truth is during Beevil Incident, I was ordered to used you, to gain your trust and then crush you"

"But you didn't," he points out.

"I know," she looked down "But I felt a shame about it".

Dustin grabs her arms and turned her around to face him "Marah," he tilts her face up to looked at him "Don't feel a shame about it, you have proven that you are good".

"I did?"

"Yes," he smiles "You saved my life from Beevil. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be standing here," he told her.

A smile suddenly appears on Marah's face "Thanks Dustin," she said before she hugs him.

He smiles "You're welcome".

Then they let go and stare at each other. Dustin touches Marah's hair with his hand then leans forward and kisses her on lips. Marah responds back, wrapping her arms around his neck pulling him close to her and Dustin deepen the kiss that turn into passionate one.

A minute later, they pulled away from air and looked at each other with a smile on their faces.

"I love you, Dustin," Marah spokes all sudden and receive a shock look from Dustin.

"I love you too, Marah," Dustin beamed.

TBC: Yes Dustin and Marah are official a couple. Yay! Tell me what you think. The next chapter will be the episode Double Edge Blake, It will have some Dustin and Marah scene and a little bit of Hunter and Kapri.