So this chapter is totally Spenser/Solana. :) I had to give one to them. Once I got into it (which took a while, surprisingly), the second half pretty much wrote itself. After this though, I'll go back to alternating between people. Most likely between Spenser/Solana/Jackie and Lucy/Joel. Maybe Sven/Rena too. So, yeah. Thanks for all the reviews before and enjoy! :)

Spenser

Fearow landed lightly on the back deck of the ship and, for yet another time, I praised his flying skills. However, the need for silence was key and I merely gave him a satisfied pat before telling him to stay outside. I didn't want to attract attention to myself. Besides, I'd seen a Chatot flying around that had looked suspiciously familiar. I guess I know knew how the Ranger Union had been getting all those tip-offs. Jackie was the best at what he did.

First priority was to get a uniform. Second was to figure out where the heck Solana could be. Both were delicate missions, ones that definitely needed the practiced hand of a Ranger Area Leader.

The first Dim Sun I found ended up with my arm at his throat. I always did pride myself on my tact.

"So, you're going to tell me a few things, buddy, starting, yet not ending, with where you're keeping the ranger prisoner," I told him, rather good-humoredly, as he almost spat in my face.

"I won't tell you nothin'," the grunt replied, although I could tell he had a hint of fear in his eyes. I felt back for the guy, who sounded like he might come from the docks of Pueltown. He had that accent, almost like how Danielle spoke when she got really angry, which, with Jackie, was more frequent than either of them would like to admit.

"That's what you think, bud," I shook my head, smiling to myself. I hadn't got this far up the Ranger ranks for nothing. And with Solana on the line, there was no way he was stopping me.

A few minutes later, I was on my way to Solana's cell.

Solana

I was tied up and put on a frickin' boat. I even had my own little cell in the form of a storage room which was full of life jackets and inflatable rafts. At least I would have flotation devices if the ship sunk. Of course, I would have to get out of the room first and all, but I could still see the positives. Somehow. Even though it was me and Jackie against countless Team Dim Sun lackeys and Ice. That is, if Jackie even had some semblance of a plan. I have long since suspected that he bullshits most of his way through life. Danielle has only solidified those suspicions.

I felt us start to move. I had no idea where we were going or how long I would be tied up in here. And I was worried about Alyssa. Jackie had told me to let her go, but I was still worried about her. Kate had always seemed so happy and carefree when I had talked to her. I couldn't see her as being that way right now.

My thoughts soon turned to Spenser as well. It seemed such a long time ago that we had that stupid argument about the Darkrai. I was, however, still right. He never told me not to tell-

I sighed, fidgeting to mess with the rope tying my hands behind my back. Here I was tied up on a ship still ready to argue my point. I was so stubborn sometimes.

That was when the door opened in front of me. My eyes flew upward toward whoever was coming in the room, hoping that I wouldn't see Ice's ugly mug come through that door. It was a Din Sun uniform, but it wasn't Ice.

"Jack," I sighed as the blonde Top Ranger bent down to untie me. "About time. I thought I was gonna have a headful of gray hair before you decided to get here."

"Yeah, yeah, quit your whining," Jackie answered, making a face at me. "You all in one piece?"

"Yup. For better or worse," I rolled my shoulders, trying to work some feeling into my arms again. I wasn't in the most comfortable position.

"Good," Jackie replied, undoing the last of the knot. "We wouldn't want Spenser on my ass."

Damn Jack Walker and his inferences.

Finally, the rope was off and I was free. The first thing I did was stretch out my arms, feeling my muscles work. That felt good. Jackie watched me critically as I did a few more stretches. "You ready yet?"

I let out a deep breath, focusing on what I had to do. "Yup. Got a plan?"

"Steal another uniform for you, get you a hat or something, and sneak our way up to Ice. Beat his ass, take back the Vatonage styler, and be on our merry way," Jackie explained simply.

"Wow, Jack. Going undercover. That's so not your style," I retorted sarcastically, grinning wickedly at him.

"Do not appreciate the sarcasm," Jackie answered good-naturedly, making for the door. I wasn't far behind. "Arceus, you reminded me of Danielle for a moment there. Now there's a girl who has a smart-ass comment for everything."

"You'd be surprised what I can do when I put my mind to it."

"Okay, wait here for a second. I'm gonna go knock someone out."

"Wow, Jack. You sound so tough when you say stuff like that."

Jackie grinned at me. "I know. It comes naturally."

The sound of footsteps coming down the hallway promptly stopped their talking. Jackie cracked his knuckles, ready to take someone out right here and now. The footsteps got louder as whoever it was came closer. Right before they were on us, Jackie snuck out, ready to pull out a quick one-two to knock 'em out. I stayed behind the door, waiting for Jackie to tell me to come out. I didn't want to get in his way. Regardless of how much I teased him, he knew what he was doing.

There was the brief sound of a scuffle, but no sound of anyone hitting the floor. That's when I heard a voice that I knew so well from five odd years of working with. "Holy Suicune! Jack! What the heck are you trying to punch me for?"

"I don't know, maybe cause I thought you were Dim Sun," Jackie replied with some bite of his own. "What the heck- How did you even get here?"

"I should've known you'd be undercover-"

"Shut up, walnut-brain. You want the whole ship to hear?"

"Do you know where she is?"

"Where who is?"

"Who do you think?"

I stepped out from behind the door, my legs finally deciding to work. "Hey, Spense," I grinned at him weakly, unsure as to what his response would be. Just seeing him again put those Butterfree in my stomach. Still, as always, things seemed less complicated when he was here. Like no matter what kind of plan we had or what resulted, it would be okay.

Next thing I knew, I felt like I was being hit by an Aggron. Spenser was hugging me so tightly, I think I was going to have to pry him off with a crobar. "Don't you ever do that again," he muttered gruffly into my ear. "Or I will lock you up in a closet back in Ringtown." He let go of me for a second, stepping back to look at me. "I mean, you're okay and everything, right?"

"Yeah, Spenser, I'm fine," I replied, unable to keep the grin from spreading across my face. "I mean, I have one cut up here from where the rocks hit me and maybe some bruising, but nothing else."

"Where?" He asked, immediately pushing aside my bangs to find the cut right below my hairline. "What rocks? What happened?"

Jackie cut in at this moment. "Guys. I feel… awkward."

"Then go away for a minute," Spenser shooed him away as he looked at the cut on my head carefully.

"Really, Spenser. It's fine," I protested as I saw Jack leave out of the corner of my eye. He was most likely going to get me a uniform. Spenser seemed to already have acquired one.

He ran a thumb over it lightly, sending shivers down my spine. "Okay, if you're sure."

"Don't worry about me," I smiled, reaching out for his other hand.

"But I do, Solana," he answered, his face clearly showing anxiety. "I really do. I've been thinking about the whole argument thing. Not to bring up bad times or anything, but you were right. It wasn't fair for me to yell at you. In fact, I don't care who you tell about the whole Darkrai thing. Arceus, if you want to stand on top of Altru Tower with a microphone, screaming it to the world, I wouldn't give a crap." He paused, his expression turning thoughtful. "Although the Ranger Union might. Specifically Elita. She's a stickler for rules."

"I'm okay, Spenser. Really. And I love that you are insisting I'm right. It'll get you places," I grinned at him, still watching his worried expression. It was like it still hadn't hit him that I was actually here and wasn't going to spontaneously combust any time soon. "Look, I don't want to argue with you either. Are we good?"

"Yeah." His response told me we were good, but his expression told me that he was hoping for more. I locked my jaw. Our whole relationship had always been so causal. My hand on his chest. His fingers briefly in my hair. My head resting against his shoulder. Our interlaced hands. Things that otherwise would mean something. But did they? When it really came down to it, was there enough here?

His hand still half-cradled my head as he looked at me in that way he did, as if he still couldn't imagine where he dug me up from. I had been an unknown in so many ways when I had come to Fiore, from a different region, a different city, and a different background. I was his wonder pupil, the one no one even saw coming. He used to joke that he showed me off to Joel all the time, as they were always competing in something. He had been an amazing teacher and an incredible leader, but an even better friend.

And I loved him. I realized this now, at the worst possible time, as we were standing in the same boat that countless other members of Team Dim Sun were also on. And it was cheesy, but I knew it was true. How else could I explain how I felt? And then it just happened.

He kissed me.

It was a feeling I couldn't describe even if I wanted to. It was me and him in a kaleidoscope of emotion, bits and pieces of us mixing together. It was his blue-green hair almost brushing his eyes even though I told him a million times to get it cut. It was the quick flash of his teeth as he grinned wickedly at me, keeping the banter going. It was the laughter, the concern, the seemingly meaningless gestures, that came from five years of Ringtown unity, learning from the best and yet knowing that you could be better. It was so completely, indescribably Spenser that I couldn't have imagined it any other way.

"Er," Spenser looked at me hesitantly, his blue eyes watching for what my reaction would be. "That wasn't planned."

I put my arms around his neck, tugging at his tufts of blue-green hair. My bangs fell in front of my face as I glanced down and then back up at him, but he pushed them away again, his face still anxious. I just looked at him, a grin starting to form on my face.

"Well, Spenser, I don't know," I drawled, trying to keep a straight face. "I mean, you are a lot of work, with me having to keep you in line all the time. But, I suppose you did come all this way and you do have some very nice technique-"

"Solana."

"Yes," I answered, my grin broadening some.

"You are a pain in my ass."

"I know," I scrunched up my nose, giving him my best cute look.

"But I love you for it."

"I know."

"Say it back."

"No."

"I'll kiss you again."

"Okay."

"Still waiting."

"I love you, Spenser."

This earned me another kiss, this time deeper, in which my hands found their way upward into his hair. I only left me wanting more, but I could see Jackie rounding the corner behind me and knew that we probably didn't want to make him more uncomfortable.

"Erm," I cleared my throat, my face still inches from his after that kiss. "Walker at ten o'clock. He's coming back around the corner."

"So?" Spenser asked breathlessly, apparently not at all worried that his best friend was going to round the corner and see him making out with his own ex-ranger. It was rather tempting, but we did eventually have a job to get to.

I raised an eyebrow at him critically.

"Okay, okay," he grumbled, letting go of where his hands had been at my hips.

I arranged myself carefully, gaining my composure before Jackie got back. I glanced over at Spenser, biting back a laugh. "Your hair's sticking up."

He looked at me in surprise like this had never occurred to him. "What?"

"Oh, duck down, you pansy," I leaned over and combed his hair down, laughing. I backed off as Jackie approached.

He looked at us funny, as if not quite sure what to say. "I don't… want to know."

"You really don't," I answered seriously, not even looking at Spenser.

"I… really don't," Jackie repeated, his conviction still the same. He handed me the uniform he'd gotten, still with that same looked of mixed disgust and apprehension. "Here."

I just put it on over my clothes, trying not to think about the habits of whoever had worn it before me. "Well," I straightened everything one last time, fitting the Dim-Sun-insignia-ed hat on my head. "Let's go kick some Dim Sun ass."

Spenser's hand brushed mine as he grinned at me. Apparently he was thinking the same thing.