Sorry for the lapse in updates, school has been hell lately and we have mid-terms this week so I'm not sure how many chapters I can get done. Wish me luck.

I don't own Disney or I wouldn't be going to school so often.

Chapter 6-The Halcyon Dispute

Nick squirmed as he awakened to the sun filtering through his lousy, thin drapes. He groaned as he attempted to sit up and promptly returned to his lying position.

He'd obviously been having a very…risqué dream…probably involving Xander of some sorts.

He decided he'd have to get up and take a fairly cold shower, at least until his problem was resolved…

Xander threw the trash into the larger dumpster like bin before returning to the warmness of his house. It was still rather early, 7:30 to be exact, but he was already awake. He didn't much like sleeping the day away, and it was perfect jogging weather. With that in mind, he changed into some running attire and grabbed his Mp3 player. With a final glance at his OCD arranged room, Xander shut the door and began jogging as he flipped the player to good running music.

Once out of the shower, Nick looked all around for his sister before finally giving up and retiring to the kitchen to make a meal. He was still partially full from the extravagant breakfast-dinner Xander had treated him to.

Xander.

That was a word that sent his mind on a reel. It wasn't like Nick had known him all his life, or like whatever they had was going to last all their lives. Nick wanted kids and he was sure of that. But how could he possibly have kids if he was gay.

"Adopt," he said aloud, startling his own self.

He shook his head at his jitters and resumed his meal, thinking about the green ranger.

I should probably go work on my bike. He thought absently. There wasn't much he could do, other than arrange his room, and at that moment, that didn't seem like the most enjoyable of the two.

So, with his decision, he grabbed a rag that he'd purchased earlier and headed outside.

He remembered walking with Xander to the very spot at the end of the drive way. With his bike near him, he'd kissed Xander. It almost felt like having something else than his bike in his life…that he was somehow cheating.

That's insane. He laughed as he started polishing the vehicle.

Xander rounded the final bend before ending up at his house once more. He swallowed large amount of water before showering and getting ready for work. He knew he would have to take the 9 to 4 shift today since he'd closed yesterday. But today, Vida and Chip would have to close, meaning Maddie would want to do something.

But all I really want to do is spent time with Nick…he thought.

He cast his thoughts aside long enough for him to shower and put on his atrocious uniform, but in the back of his mind, he was smiling…for he'd see Nick in less than half an hour.

Nick arrived at the Rock Porium just as Toby was walking up.

"Hey Nick, I wanted to tell you, you and Xander did a great job closing up last night," he said.

Nick tried to read Toby's face. What was he hinting at? They didn't do anything special; they'd just done what the standard was.

"Um…thanks…I guess?"

Toby nodded and smiled before walking through the door.

Nick sighed. He knew Xander was already inside. Xander wouldn't be late, or there at exactly 9. No, for Xander, on time was 5 minutes early.

With a final inhale and exhale, Nick opened the door to the Rock Porium.

The air was tense…or at least he thought, but no one seemed to know of anything.

"Hey Nick," Vida said as she brushed past him.

"Oh, hey V," Nick replied as he waltzed up to the desk.

"Hey Nick, can you go help Xander with the Classic Rock section, apparently he's not too good at alphabetizing," Toby said as he busied himself with something.

Having to bite his tongue in argument, Nick sucked in a breath and looked over at Xander, who, in frustration, was moving CD's back and forth in front of his eyes.

"I think D comes before E," Nick said dryly.

Xander turned to meet him.

"So The Doors come before the Eagles?"

Nick nodded slowly, "What grade did you say you were in?"

Xander laughed, "Very funny mate, I can read just fine…I just have a bit of trouble alphabetizing."

"So I see," Nick responded as he grabbed a stack.

Both knew what they wanted to talk about. They both knew what each other had probably dreamed about…being their age that is…And they both knew what the other wanted to do about it…but neither of them said anything.

It was more along the lines of a dispute than a refusal to speak. They were battling their feelings while remaining calm and peaceful to each other…rather than attacking the others face.

At 4, Nick, Xander, and Madison left the Rock Porium together, less than thrilled at the uninteresting day that had passed.

"So Xander, you up for a movie today?" Maddie asked as they slowly walked down the sidewalk.

Nick felt a twinge of something. Jealousy? Hell to the no…at least he didn't think that was it.

"Uh…I dunno, Nick, what about you?"

"Oh…um…well" Nick fumbled.

He was saved by the twinkling of their Mystic Phones.

"Nick here," he said hurriedly, relieved at Udonna's timing.

"Nick, have the others come to Root Core, I've got a wonderful training session planned for you today," she said.

"Chip and Vida are still working…what do you want us to do?"

"Ask for a break…this is a rather important training session and I think you'll like it."

With that, the phone switched off and Nick flipped it shut.

"Toby's not gonna like this," Madison said with a face.

"Let me break it to him, ay?" Xander asked.

He walked back into the store and in minutes returned with the Pink and Yellow Rangers.

"All accounted for, let's go," Xander said as they all lined up by the tree.

After the worm incident, Xander had been thinking about the previous events that day. He acted totally out of character saving Nick like that, but he didn't mind, and the others didn't seem to notice. It wasn't that Xander didn't want the others to know, but he wanted Nick to have his time and to tell the others when he was ready.

That was the problem…who knew how long that would take?

Nick sighed as he and Maddi did some extra stocking work in the back as Chip, Vida, and his fixation Xander were in the front helping customers.

"You okay?" Madison asked.

"Oh, yeah, fine."

She looked at him skeptically as he pulled a box down.

"You sure?"

Nick stopped; he remembered what Xander said about his inability to lie.

"Uh…Maddie…can I ask you something? Something…personal?"

Madison fidgeted a bit as she spoke, "Um…I guess, sure. What's up?"
"Well, it's not really about you; it's kind of about…"

"Vida?"

"No it's…"

"Chip?"

How much more ironic could it get? Nick thought furiously, Why's she gotta call his name last?

"No…Xander."

"Oh, what about him?"

"Well…is he um…is it really true that…god…I really don't know how to say this," Nick said as he rubbed his head.

"Oh…I think I know what this is about," Madison said slowly, "You're worried about Xander's sexuality, aren't you?"

"Well…yeah, kinda."

"Well don't worry, he's gay, but I don't think he'll make a move on you…" she said, then continued, "Unless you want him to."

It was then Nick wished more than anything he had the ability to control his mouth, "Why wouldn't I?"

Maddie's mouth dropped, "NICK!"

"Oh shit…"

"You and…and Xander?" she gasped, a broad smile on her face.

"Okay…okay…I'll leave, just don't tell anyone," he said in an ashamed tone.

"Leave? What are you talking about? This is amazing? I've been trying to get Xander to date for years and you just come up out of nowhere and in two days, bam!"

Nick looked confused, "Wait…how do you…know exactly what happened?"

"Oh I don't really know…but I have noticed you two seeming a little odd. At first I was afraid you two didn't like each other and you were going to disagree a lot…but apparently you like each other more than expected!" she laughed.

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So, Madison is the lucky confident. I should be able to get another Chapter up no later than Thursday. Hope for the best. Sorry if this chapter was not so good, it's been a while since I've seen Code Busters so my events may be off. Anyway, later.