Chapter 16: Always There

"GREEN HAWK RANGER!" Conner shouted. He spun around and slammed his fist to the ground. He was engulfed in a green light. Once it faded, he stood up. "I can still fight you, with or without my staff," Conner told Nerak.

"I bet," Nerak laughed.

Nerak pulled out his staff and Conner bit his tongue. "Damn it," he hissed. Conner pulled out his dagger that he had in his belt and Nerak laughed at him.

"Your puny little knife won't affect me," he laughed.

Conner glared at him and started fighting him. Nerak took his staff and hit Conner in the stomach and tripped him onto his back. Conner groaned when he hit the ground. "Oh and by the way, Conner. I enjoyed my time with your girlfriend," he laughed. Conner couldn't get up, his head was spinning so fast that he felt sick to his stomach.

"You are a sick bastard," Conner snapped.

"No name calling," Nerak laughed.

Nerak slammed his staff to the ground and disappeared. Conner sat up slowly and he de-morphed. "Kira," he whispered.

(Three Days Later)

"NO!" Kira screamed. Kira sat up, breathing heavily, and her hair was stuck to her sweaty forehead. She screamed when someone placed their hand on her shoulder and she went to hit him, but Conner stopped her.

"Hey, hey, it's me," he assured her.

Kira calmed down when she realized where she was. She was at Conner's apartment, sharing his bed like they had during the past few days. "Conner?" She asked, her voice cracking. Conner stroked her face.

"It's okay," he assured her.

She shook her head and she hugged him tight. "I want it to go away," she whispered. Conner sighed and held her gently.

"I know," he answered.

She buried her head into his shoulder and let out a sob. Conner stroked her hair and rocked her gently.

Later that day, Conner and Kira were meeting the others in the lab. "What's gong on, Dr. Oliver?" Kira asked. Tommy turned in his chair to look at them.

"I think it's too dangerous for you guys to be living on your own," Tommy informed.

"I think we're a little old to be living with our moms and dads," Conner commented.

Conner had his arm wrapped around Kira's waist. "No, find a way so you can all live together," Tommy answered. They were silent and staring at each other.

"You can stay at my house," Trent put in.

"You sure?" Ethan asked.

"My dad and Elsa are living somewhere else. Could use some company over there," Trent replied.

Kira bit her lip and Conner wrapped his arm tightly around her. "I think it's a good idea," she murmured.

"Then it's settled," Tommy informed.

They nodded in agreement.

(Trent's Mansion)

Trent was leading them down the hall. "Ethan you'll be sleeping in this room and Conner you'll be sleeping in the room next to his," he informed. Kira bit her lip and let out a sigh.

"Kira, you'll be sleeping two doors down from Conner's room and Kitty your room is next to hers. My room is right across from Kitty's," Trent informed.

They nodded and went into their separate rooms.

Kira walked into her room and sat down on the bed. She felt like she was missing something and she knew what it was. Her guitar was gone along with everything else. She and Kitty did go out and buy more clothes, but their budget wasn't big enough to get Kira another guitar. Kira laid down on her bed and closed her eyes.

Conner was putting his things away when he came across a bag in his suitcase. He pulled it out and opened it, revealing some money that was inside. Conner let out a sigh and rubbed the back of his neck. He was saving it, he wanted to make it up to Kira someway. Conner hid the money in his drawer and pulled out his soccer ball, tossing it back and forth between his hands.

That night, Conner was asleep with his back facing the door. Kira opened the door and came inside. She closed the door behind her and she walked over to the bed. She moved over so she was standing in front of him. She reached out and touched his face. Conner woke up and saw her standing there. "Kira? Everything okay?" He asked. Kira nodded her head slowly.

"I want to stay with you," she replied.

Conner moved over and lifted the blankets up so she could get in. Kira climbed into the bed and she placed her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. She sighed and she entwined her fingers with his as she fell asleep. He closed his eyes and fell asleep a few minutes after she did.

The next day, Kira was in the backyard watching a swan swim by. She looked up when she heard music coming from inside the house. She got up to see what was going on. She looked inside one of the extra rooms and saw Kitty dancing by herself. A smile came across her face to see her so happy. Trent came up behind Kitty and wrapped his arms around her waist.

Kitty was dancing by herself when she felt a pair of arms go around her waist. "Trent," she giggled. Trent nipped at her neck.

"What?" He asked.

"Stop."

"Why?"

"Because."

"Not a good enough answer."

Kitty giggled and pushed him away. "No, no, no," she laughed. Kitty looked out towards the window to see Kira there and watched her walk away. She let out a sigh and rubbed the back of her neck.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Hmm? Oh yeah I'm fine," she replied.

"Kitty?"

"Trent, I'm fine."

Kitty went to walk by when Trent grabbed her arm. "Kitty…" he started.

"Let go of me!" She hissed.

"Kitty, listen to me."

"No, I want you to let me go and leave me alone."

"Kitty."

Trent kept a grip on her arms. "What is it?" He asked. The tears were falling down her face. "Kitty…what is it?" He asked.

"It should have been me," she said suddenly.

"What?" He asked.

"It should've been me in there. I should've been in that apartment when Nerak attacked, not Kira. It should've been me in there, Trent. It should've been me."

Trent shook his head and hugged her. "It should've been me," she repeated. Trent hushed her and stroked her hair.

"It's okay," he murmured.

He kissed the side of her head and sighed. "It's okay," he repeated. Kitty buried her head into his shoulder and cried.

Kira sighed as she slowly walked around the backyard when a soccer ball hit her ankle. She looked up to see Conner standing there. "Hey," he greeted. Kira picked the soccer ball up and tossed it over to him. "How are you doing?" He asked. Kira nodded.

"Better," she replied.

"Good."

Kira nodded and went to walk away. "Kira, I'm sorry," Conner called out. Kira stopped and looked at him.

"Why are you apologizing?" He asked.

"Because I failed you."

"What are you talking about?"

Conner set the soccer ball down on the ground. "I failed you, Kira. I failed to protect you," he replied. Kira shook her head.

"No that's not true," she answered.

Kira walked over and held his hands. "You didn't know that this would've happened to me," she answered.

"But…"

Kira placed her finger against his lips. "It wasn't your fault. It was Nerak's fault," she assured him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. Conner hugged her back and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close to him. He kissed the side of her head and let out a sigh. "Having you here with me makes all the difference," she added.

"I'm always here, Kira. Always," he answered.