Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers, but hey I can dream can't I?

*Italic indicates thought

Chapter Fifteen: Pouty and Three Words

A/N: I have another chapter! Fun fact: the name Anton is the Ukrainian version of the name Antonio. Cool, huh? Well I thought so. :) please review!

"We've all got both light and dark inside of us. What matters is the part we chose to act on, that's who we really are." -Sirius Black

"Can't I leave for one hour?" Antonio asked Jayden.

"No," Jayden said. "Not even for an hour."

"Please?!" Antonio begged. "I haven't fished in weeks!"

"It's only been three days," Jayden replied laughing.

"Well it feels like weeks," Antonio muttered crossing his arms.

"I know you're bored," Jayden said. "But it's for the best."

"What if-"

"No."

"Please?! You can even come with me incase the black ranger shows up."

Jayden shook his head.

"You're no fair!"

"Yes I'm no fair because I prefer to keep my best friend alive."

Antonio pouted like a three-year-old. "Please!"

"No. Don't act like that."

"What's up?" Lauren asked coming in.

"Antonio's acting like little kid because he can't go fishing."

Lauren started laughing. "Aw. Tonio don't try to guilt trip Jayden."

"He's being unfair!"

"No he's not," she said wrapping her arms around him. "He's being protective."

"But I want to go fishing!"

Jayden sighed and shook his head. "The spell is definitely starting to wear off."

"Come on," Lauren said pulling Antonio towards his room. "Lets leave Jayden alone."

"Meanie," Antonio huffed following her.

Jayden laughed and shook his head.

"What's so funny?" Emily asked coming in with Mia.

"Antonio's upset because he can't go fishing."

"Is that why he's moping?" Mia asked.

"Yeah."

"Well fishing is his life," Emily said. "Can't you let him go just for a little while? I mean, we haven't seen the black ranger for days now."

"Because Antonio is in here. I can't let him leave. He won't die from not fishing."

"I don't know," Mia said.

"He'll be fine. He's just being a baby."

"And you don't feel guilty all?" Emily asked.

"Not in the slightest."

-Light and Dark-

"Antonio,"Lauren said. "You're not going to die. I promise."

"You don't know that."

"Yes I do. You'll be fine. I promise."

Antonio smiled as Lauren rested her head head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "You're amazing."

"So are you," she said.

"I love you."

Lauren didn't say anything for a minute. "What- huh?" she asked sitting up.

"I said that I love you," he replied. "I love the way you smile; your eyes; your bravery; the way you fight; your laugh. I love you."

Lauren stared at him speechless. He'd never said that he'doves her before. While they kissed and cuddled, this was one step they hasn't taken yet. The unspoken question rested between them as Antonio gazed at her. Did she love him back? Lauren didn't know. Antonio was amazing. He was the most thoughtful, kind, generous, brave, and compassionate person shed ever met. She smiled. She loved when his eyes sparkled with excitement at the mention of fish. When he talked in Spanish and confused everyone. The way he laughed and smiled brightening up any room. His infectious attitude towards everything. She loved the way he hated the dark and when he annoyed Jayden.

"I love you too," she said. "I love everything about you. From your mix of Spanish and English way of talking to your fear of the dark. I love that you accept and love every person you come in contact with and the fact that you're passionate about fish. I love you. More than anyone else in the world."

Antonio grinned insanely wide ans kissed her on the lips. " Te amo más que a nadie que jamás he conocido. Mi princesa. Mi reina." (I love you more than anyone I've ever know. My princess. My queen.)

" I don't know what you said," Lauren said. "But it sounded romantic."

"It was."

They kissed passionately as the rest of the world melted away. They forgot that Antonio was in danger and that the black ranger was still on the loose. Lauren forgot about her nightmares and her worries. All that mattered in that very moment was the fact that she loved Antonio. And more importantly, he loved her back. And that made her happier than she'd ever been.

-Light and Dark-

A few hours later Jayden was in the living room with Kevin and Mike.

"Well I think our plan has backfired," Kevin said. "The black ranger hasn't shown his face since Antonio was confined to the house."

"He'll come out eventually," Jayden said. "He's a nighlock, he craves destruction."

"I hate to say it," Mike said. "But if we really want to get rid of him, we need to take some...drastic measures."

"What kind of drastic measures?"

"I was thinking...maybe letting Antonio leaving the house. Now before you say something," he added when Jayden opened his mouth to object. "just hear me out. We let him go fishing in the woods, somewhere away from people, and we watch him the entire time. When the black ranger shows up, we send Antonio home."

"That's assuming he'll listen," Kevin said.

"So you want us to use Antonio as bait?" Jayden asked.

"Well...we you say it like that..." Luck for Mike he didn't have to come up with an answer because the gap sensor went off. The rangers came running into the living room.

"In the woods," Jayden said. "Lets go."

Ji grabbed Antonio's arm. "Not you. Nice try."

"Well be back," Lauren said. "Don't worry."

"Be careful!"

"We will!" she called over her shoulder.

-Light and Dark-

The rest of the rangers arrived on the scene and looked around.

"Where's the nighlock?" Kevin asked.

"Where's gold ranger?" the black ranger asked coming out of the shadows.

Jayden blinked. The dwindling daylight the last few days was messing with his vision. "Safe."

"That's a shame," the black ranger said circling them lazily. "I was so looking forward to playing with him."

"Well looks like you'll have to settle for us," Lauren said, never taking her eyes off him.

"Hmm. No. I don't think so. You others aren't as interesting, or challenging."

"To bad," Kevin said. "Because he's not coming out of the house until you're gone."

"Oh really?"

"Really," Mike said.

"No. No I don't think so."

"What?" Emily asked, confused.

"I think he'll show. Especially if his friends are in danger." With that he ran at the rangers with Antonio-like speed and knocked them unconscious before even the quickest of them could reach their morphers. He smiled. "Let the fun begin."