Disclaimer: Don't own 'em. But you already know that.

A/N: Enjoy!

He gently closed the door behind him, walking from the room.

"Hey, you!"

He turned around to see a hallway monitor. Oh, great. This is just what I need. I've only been here for a day and already I'm targeted for some sort of school discipline.

"Yeah? Do you need something? Can I help you out?"

The blonde kid grinned devilishly and nodded. "Sure, you can. You've just been selected to serve detention this week."

He groaned. This has got to be some sort of conspiracy! "What did I do?"

The blonde boy walked over and handed him a pink slip of paper. How cliché. I get the pink slip.

"No walking the halls after the bell."

Antonio just stared at him. The boy was good-looking, probably secretly revered by a bunch of girls off the cheerleading squad. His eyes were dark blue which got him to thinking 'Nazi'. A smirk formed on Antonio's face. "I'm afraid I won't be attending this week's detention. I'm new here and this is my second day. I haven't even been given a school handbook." With that Antonio handed the kid back the pink slip of paper and began walking coolly away.

"Hey! You can't do that! I'm the one who decides whether or not you can't serve detention! Come back here! I'm not through with you!"

He laughed softly while pushing the door leading to the school's courtyard. I guess I made his day. I mean, who wants to be responsible for his own execution. I wonder if I tell Kim to taunt him, if she'd do it. Besides she owes me. Nah, she's too uptight.

"I didn't see you in Ms. Carmichael's class today," said a dulcet voice from behind.

He turned to find a lovely blonde-haired girl with brown eyes awaiting him. "Ah, Nancy Macintyre of fourth period English. To what do I owe the pleasure of our acquaintance?"

She giggled, looking down rather bashfully, contrasting the whole of her revealing outfit. "You're so sweet." Seductively nibbling on her bottom lip, she extended him a handful of papers. "I planned on meeting you later to give you these but since you're here I guess I don't have to."

"Thank you. Nancy Macintyre you will forever be in my gratitude."

She giggled some more, batting her eyes for extra emphasis while Kira walked on over.

"Hey, where were you last period? I really didn't take you for the skipping type."

He shrugged. "I felt sick so I sat in the clinic," he lied, not sure whether to entertain her growing impression of him. I doubt she'll check into it. He watched her nod, looking at him questioningly. "But I'm much better now, as you can see. I plan on getting something to eat and taking things slow."

She nodded again. "Whatever, it's not my job to judge you. Anyway I got your homework and even took the liberty to copy down the notes. I mean, I would hate for you to lose your perfect passing rate." She dropped the papers in his lap before turning on her heel to head to her table with the others.

"Wow, what a bitch," Nancy commented, feigning shock. He looked at her and then back at Kira before jumping up and going after her.

Standing over her table he watched her bite into her sandwich, ignoring him. "Excuse me but did I do something to piss you off because I don't get why you're being so snappy," he put as nicely as he could. The statement was basically another way of saying "why are you acting like a bitch?"

She turned to look him square in the face. "Snappy? Me, snappy? Well, I'm glad I appear that way to you because that's as close to getting to know me as you'll ever get." She returned to her food while the guys looked on.

"Uh, you might want to take this as an opportunity to leave," Conner hinted, kindly. He really didn't know what upset her but he had a feeling that the new guy was behind it. Ethan mouthed 'sorry' while Trent remained passive.

"Fine, but I'm sorry. I apologize for not being whatever you wanted me to be… Thanks for the notes. I appreciate it."

She rolled her eyes, swallowing the last of her sandwich. "Whatever."

He walked away and she turned slightly to see him recede in the distance.

"Okay, mind telling us what the whole drama-scene was for," Ethan asked playfully.

She glared at him. "Don't start. -I mean, what's his problem anyway? He acts like he's better than everyone else. He's such a jerk."

Conner grinned. "What'd you want him to be? Your knight in shining armor, princess?"

She kicked him from underneath the table. "Shut up." Looking down, she played with the ends of the bread she took off her sandwich. "He seemed so nice. I just thought he would be different, okay. I admit to judging the book by its cover, so sue me already."

"Kira, you've only known him for a day, and hardly even that. Don't you think you should give him a real chance?" Trent suggested, speaking in one of those rare occasions.

"What? So he can make me even more right? I don't think so." She refused to look at him. It felt so awkward. We could've been happy together, and I wasn't biased then. I didn't judge you. Now I'm doing the reasonable thing. I'm protecting myself before I invest too much energy into any potential emotion I may feel for some guy. It's liable to work. To save me from any future heartbreak.

"Kira, what about when you met us? Before we met, we didn't even look at each other and now we're good friends. I guess what I'm trying to say is that maybe you shouldn't be so eager to jump down his throat," Ethan added.

She groaned. "You're only saying that because he's a guy. If he was a girl you guys would've been all over him. Later," she said, picking her tray up and dumping her trash in the litter bin. She walked inside, wary of the hall monitor, in pursuit of her locker.

Reaching her locker, she started fiddling with her lock before she heard the steady approach of squeaky rubber soled shoes. Marissa Andrews, who would've known?

"Tsk, tsk, Kira Ford, this is your third detention this week and this is only the second day back from Winter break," Marissa exclaimed cheerfully as she wrote Kira off a pink slip.

"Hey, Kira wait up. Oh… You're Marissa, right?"

Oh no. What is he doing?!

"Hola, Mr. Myers-Hart and right, you are. You know you shouldn't walk the halls after the second bell." The sandy-haired, green-eyed bombshell informed, smiling.

"Oh… yeah. Kira was just escorting me to the clinic. I've been mighty ill."

A look of concern came on Marissa's face as he coughed for emphasis.

Kira rolled her eyes, deciding to take a hint. "Yeah, it's the height of flu season and the bug has been speedily biting people in the-" Is she even listening to me?

"Oh, you poor baby," Marissa cooed as he groaned. "We'll get you to the clinic right away. Kira, why didn't you get him there sooner? Come on Antonio, I'll take you."

"Uh, excuse me." Her attitude picked one hell of a time to show up. She was about to face off with the bitchiest hall monitor in the school.

Antonio could sense Kira's irritation. "Marissa, I think that's really sweet of you but don't you think it's best you stay here and finish monitoring the hallway. I would hate for a bunch of freeloaders to sneak in on account of me."

She hesitated and then groaned. "Okay, I guess I can leave you in the hands of…"

"What? Do you have a pro-"

"Thanks Marissa, you're the best," Antonio cut her off grabbing onto her jacket for support. "Oh…"

Kira and Marissa both stared at him. "Are you okay?" They asked in unison.

He held his stomach while looking faraway. "I think I'm, going to be sick."

"Oh, no you don't," Kira said hurrying off with him.

Marissa bit her lip in genuine concern while she stared after him and back at her clipboard. "This job really sucks sometimes."

She giggled softly while turning the corner, letting him go. "Wow, that was awesome. No one's ever conned Marissa Andrews out of detention. Ever!"

He smiled but his smile quickly faded. "Uh, Kira I know you want to brag and all but I'm not lying. I think I really am going to be sick."

Her jaw dropped and suddenly she felt horrible. "Oh, okay. Come on." She held his arm and guided him down the corridor to the clinic.

"Open wide," the school nurse and office assistant, Ms. Kerens directed.

"Ahh," Antonio responded as she jabbed the thermometer down his throat.

"I'll hold it for five minutes so it can warm up."

Antonio moved his hand to try and hold the thermometer but she slapped his hand away.

"I got it."

"Oha." He sat defeated with his arms by his side.

The much older lady with graying blonde hair turned to Kira. "So, how's that science teacher of yours?"

Kira snapped back to reality. "Oh, Dr. O- He's fine."

Ms. Kerens smiled. "I bet he is."

"Huhm," Antonio rasped. WTF?

Oh not this time. I am not going to get forced to listen to your-

"You know when I was younger, I used to be a model for Wilson's Beach Shop on the corner on Maynard St. Yeah, that was my heyday. Every guy was pining to have my phone number."

"Mm-hmm," Kira nodded frantically, so the other woman would not have to repeat herself.

Antonio just stared.

"You know if I were a couple years younger that Dr. Oliver would not stand a chance. Nope. He'd be all over me. Too bad I'm the sensible type. He does not know what he is miss-ing. Hmm," she huffed dreamily.

Antonio began coughing ostentatiously, having heard too much while Kira mouthed an apology.

Ms. Kerens looked at the clock and continued on. "Oh, Kira the man is just so good looking. He reminds me of my high school sweetheart Ned."

Antonio tried to still himself from either puking or laughing.

"Don't get me started on Ned Somers. That man knew how to open a package."

Antonio spit the thermometer out, before he nearly gagged. "Oh, I think I'm much better now. Thanks Ms. Kerens," with that he rushed out.

Ms. Kerens laughed, she was so silly sometimes. She walked over to the edge of the room and picked up the thermometer Antonio had just spit out and stared at it. She frowned, "102 degrees Fahrenheit?"

Kira followed smiling. "Aw, you couldn't get enough of the good ol' days, could you?"

He kept on walking straight ahead. "That woman is sick. Dr. Oliver is old enough to be her grandson."

She touched his arm and he turned around. "Hey, age is nothing but a number."

His mouth opened in shock as she waltzed right on by him. "Whoa! I did not just hear that. I did. Not. Just. Hear. That- Hey, don't tell that to a pedophile. Kira, that was just wrong." He ran after her as she headed to her locker. "Kira, my, I'm surprised. I had you pegged out all wrong."

She smirked, fidgeting with her lock. "I guess we seem to do that often."

"Hey, I like judging the book by its cover. Then I get time to learn the book inside out."

She smiled up at him. "You are the most absurd guy I've ever met."

"I take it you find that attractive," he said flirtatiously.

"No, I find it odd. Right when I think I'm just starting to get to know you, you do something that makes me second guess."

He nodded. "I have a solution for you. Don't think so hard. When you second guess, it turns out to be wrong and makes you out to be a cynical person- which by the way I have down packed. You're a sweet girl Kira with a lot of personal issues. What I think you fail to recognize is that everything isn't so cut and dried or black and white. There are shades of grey and people come in layers. Not everyone is see through. I would like to be your friend, that is if you'd let me."

She nodded and held out her hand. "I'd like that a lot."

He looked down at her hand and shook it. "Good. Then I guess we're friends."

She rolled her eyes and giggled, opening her locker. "Yeah, something like that anyway."

He snuck a peek inside her locker and saw a guitar. "You play guitar."

She glared at him playfully before shutting it. "Yeah, I do. You know peeking inside a girl's locker is call for a serious beating, by a girl that is."

He stuck his hand in his pockets, rolling his heavy eyes. "Well, I guess I should be more careful then."

"What you should say is that you won't peek anymore?"

He shrugged. "I like to live on the wild side… My sister plays guitar- acoustic. I play electric and a little bass. My older brother Marshall, now he's a bass master. Once we had our own band with my dad playing on drums. It was nothing but garage stuff though. I was seven and I could only play a sum of nine notes."

She laughed. "I bet you still sounded awesome."

"I sounded horrible. My sister and brother were rock stars compared to me but they never said anything."

"That's so sweet."

He said nothing, only scratching quickly behind his ear. "Yeah."

She stopped him. "You know I'm really sorry I yelled at you earlier. I don't know what got over me. All I know is that one second I'm fine and then I see you with Nancy and I'm all Jekyll and Ms. Hyde. I shouldn't have jumped down your throat like that."

He laughed softly. "It's okay, Kira. As much as I want to believe you were just jealous or really concerned, it happens to the best of us. Besides I kind of liked it. You're cure when you're angry and defensive."

She punched him in his arm. "Watch it, loverboy. I might just have to kick your ass."

The bell signaling the end of lunch period rang.

"As much as I'd really love to stay and see that, that's my cue to leave. Later Kira and remember it's called self-control." He turned and walked away, leaving her with a huge smirk on her face.

"Asshole." She began to head to her sixth period class, glancing back in his direction. This is pretty awesome. I can make new guy friends who have nothing to do with the rangers and not be romantically involved with them. Conner owes me twenty bucks.

6th Period Physical Education

"Good afternoon ladies and… well, ladies. I hope your stomach's settled cause we're going to run some laps today," Coach Hardy announced to the detriment of everyone else. "Now, run!"

They all began to take off around the tracks.

"Hey Kira, wait up," America Gonzales called.

Kira looked behind her, keeping at her steady pace. "Hi America. Can I help you?"

"Not really. I just- I saw you talking with the new guy in the hallway. You guys seem kind of close."

Kira smiled, cutting her eyes playfully. "We're friends."

America nudged Kira with her elbow, doing all that she could not to fall and land flat on her face. "You can keep telling yourself that. Almost every girl with any brains knows he's hot. Plus he's got that whole mysterious thing going on. That is so sexy."

Kira wanted to vomit. She wasn't so accepting of gossip and girly activities as other girls. She liked her privacy and not being picked to go to social gatherings like shopping or going to see the next teen movie starring poster children for A.I.D.S. (Asses in Designer Shit) awareness. So she just kept on smiling.

"Ever since you and Conner didn't work out, maybe-"

"What?" Kira came to a halt. "Did you just say? You didn't say what I think you did? Cause that wouldn't have been smart. Conner! Conner Mcknight- You thought? Ew. Just- major ew! Conner's like a brother. I would never!"

America just ran in place, shaking her head. "Girl you practically own the nile."

"I don't like Conner Mcknight!" Kira screamed in her red and yellow gym shorts. I must look like a total idiot.

6th Period Calculus

"Mr. Myers-Hart would you like to explain the trig. functions to the rest of the class who have all seemingly somehow forgot?" Mrs. Colman asked, walking around the classroom as if her baby would come at any given time.

He shook his head, swallowing down hard. He felt so dizzy. "No."

"Antonio? Are you feeling okay? You don't look too hot." Dahlia Jameson asked quietly.

"Thanks."

She nearly bolted at his response.

"I'm kidding."

"Oh. Your face looks really flushed."

"I'm probably blushing," he teased softly.

One of her waxed eyebrows raised in suspicion.

"Yeah, I'm still kidding."

A sigh of relief left her. "Stop doing that. Well, you should really think about going to the clinic. You look as if you're going to pass out."

He gave a weak smile. "Uh, no. I don't think I'm going back there anytime soon."

Suddenly the intercom came on. "Please excuse the interruption. Antonio Myers-Hart please report to the front office. Antonio Myers-Hart please report to the front office."

He exhaled slowly, getting up.

"Well, buddy you just jinxed yourself. One way or the other Kerens is all yours. Why don't you tell her hi for me," Ethan joked.

"Ethan leave him alone," Dahlia whispered, still bashful as ever.

"Well, I guess I'll be catching you guys later."

7th (last) Period History

"I know you guys are raring to go home, but you have to be patient with me," Kimberly said checking the roll. She looked up for a second time before putting down her clipboard. "Uh… Where's Antonio?"

"Oh, they called him down to the office last period in Calculus. To tell you the truth he didn't look so great. I think he's probably sick," Douglass Reynolds said.

He's sick! Probably an exaggeration. He couldn't be sick. Ant hasn't even had a cold since seventh grade. Alright, Kim calm down. No need to freak out. Just breathe. I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding.

"…And you can all chew gum if you can hide it when Randall stops by. And that's it! Talk quietly and dismiss yourselves when the bell rings," Kim speedily said, rushing to her seat. Taking out her cell phone she pressed speed dial. "Bon soir, mami."

Kimberly! Bonjour Darling! How are you? I've been waiting so long to hear from you and pumpkin face. It's been two weeks.

"I know mama. I'm really scared. I think pumpkin face is sick. Ma, when's the last time Antonio has been sick?"

Hmm, Kim, Antonio has only had a mild cold and that was in the seventh grade in Iowa. He has been taking his medicine regularly?

"I don't know. He says he has. He says he does everyday. I want to believe him but mama he's so stubborn."

Oui, it's in his blood. All of you take after your father in that area.

"Yeah, and we only get our creative, inhibitive, responsible characteristics from le mademoiselle."

Oh, I did teach my little girl something after all. …Has all of Antonio's medical records and prescriptions been transferred?

"Not yet. Dr. Robeson is still in the process of setting Antonio with another specialist. It might take weeks or months before we are completely settled here in Reefside. I'm starting to think that maybe I should have took daddy's offer. I mean Antonio wouldn't be far from Columbus, so he'd be able to see all of his friends still. We wouldn't have to worry about this whole medical situation and I wouldn't have to worry about having Tommy as a colleague."

Pardon, did you just say that Thomas Oliver, that cute teenager who you dated in high school is your colleague. Ooo hoo. I should be getting grandkids soon.

"Mom!"

All of her students stared at her after her outburst, making her slightly embarrassed.

"Need I remind you he left me," she whispered hoarsely into the phone, spinning around in her chair to avoid the stares coming from her students. "Without a care in the world it seems. He didn't even leave a note saying he was leaving and I find that good reason to steer clear of him. I'm not getting my heart broken again." She pressed her ear closer to the phone at the sound of laughter. "Are you laughing at me?"

Yes, Kim I am laughing at you. Listen to yourself. Weren't you the one who had to break up with him in high school?

Kim's mouth dropped. "You're supposed to be on my side!" She quickly spun around and mouthed 'sorry' with no avail, before turning back once more to her desk. "Anyway, that's beyond different. I was in high school. He's a grown man if he wanted to break up with me all he had to do was say 'Hey, Kim I don't want to be with you anymore. Oh and by the way I'm going to leave too. That way the awkward tension won't be there and I'm a friggin' coward!'" Her tone happening to raise in her excitement. She was so ready to turn around and get on the laughing students. Those nosy bastards are laughing at me.

Kim, now am I supposed to believe that it would have been that simple. We women tend to make it difficult for men.

"Oh come on mom, it's not like he was coming out of the closet." She glanced up at the clock. Shouldn't they be gone? The school dismissal bell rang like ten minutes ago.

Perhaps, but it was still difficult decision for him to make. Don't you think? You don't obviously think he woke up one day and decided to leave you?

"Yes! Yes, I do. He didn't even bother to call to tell me he was okay or even still breathing! I had to find out from Jason that my boyfriend was not dead and in some sort of induced coma but here! In Reefside. Mami that is beyond sketchy. I still can't believe you took his side."

Honey, I haven't taken anyone's side. I just think you're overacting is all. We both know you're going to end up back in his be-

"Mom! God, keep it G rated, won't you?"

Kim this is as G as it will get. You're not over the boy and I'm going to bet that new Todd Oldham La-Z-Boy set you got that you end back up with him before the end of the school year.

"Oh, so you're betting on me now. What do I get if you lose?"

Well, I did bring your little arse into this world. That's keeping it G rated for you, dear.

Kim shook her brunette tresses into her hands. "How did this conversation get from Ant being sick to my ex? Never mind. I need to go check up on Ant. Au revoir mami."

Au revoir sweetie.

Hanging up, she stood and stretched not bothering to see if anyone had left. A loud clap reverberated through the class room before the class began laughing. She groaned and turned around, using her foot to drag her chair back to where it had once been.

"Dr. Oliver, what a surprise?" she said low in a candid way. "Why are you guys still here?"

"Oh they're here to ensure my safety. Just kidding, guys you really should get going," he told them fitting into his science teacher persona very well.

The students just sat there watching their teachers in an intrigued fashion.

"If you're not here in under five seconds I'll throw in a pop quiz with that paper tomorrow."

"What paper?" Douglass asked. "Never mind."

"Five…," he began, counting down.

"Run!"

The class stormed out, leaving him and Kimberly alone.

"You give new meaning to the 'no cell phones during class time' rule," he joshed, taking a seat on her desk.

"How much did you hear?" She asked, suddenly feeling sick to her stomach.

"About as much as I could from a one sided conversation. I take it you were talking about me."

She started moving to collect her things before he stopped her.

"Kim, I want to explain."

Her emotions started acting up again and she was in no mood to make herself appear weak before him. Lifting her head she faced him. "You could have done that months ago. Now I'm starting to think there may be nothing left to explained. Maybe this- your leaving was for the best. We were never in a position to get back together. I was a fool to think we would last."

"If I were a reasonable person I would accept that but I can't. Kim when we got together I had no intention of leaving you or even getting back together with you for that matter. I was already involved in something I could not simply turn my back on and there was no way in hell I was going to put you in the middle of all of it."

She held his gaze. "So you thought I couldn't handle it. I was a ranger before you and our relationship ever entered the equation, Tommy. I would have never left you."

He nodded, glancing down at her hands, so desperately wanting to hold them. "I know that and that wasn't why I left."

"Then why did you? Leave, that is. Tommy, why did you leave me? Not even that. Why'd you leave the way you did?" She couldn't hold the tears any longer. "Don't answer that. I don't want to hear anymore. You already made your decision not to include me in your life and I'm going to respect that." She gathered her things and left.

He stood there, looking up at the ceiling. A small bitter smile came onto his face. Why do I always end up back here? Letting her walk away. Sighing he rushed to the exit.