Dino Thunder: Return of the Eclipse- Chapter 24: Disappearing Act
Disclaimer: Saban owns all Power Ranger lines.
Copyright: All unrecognizable parts and characters are under December's Phoenix's copyright.
Summary: Dr. Oliver needs help demorphing
Tommy Oliver stood with Hayley at the computers in the lab a week following the lifting of Ethan's curse and the destruction of Tutenhawken. The veteran Ranger was getting sick and tired of constantly being in his suit and was ready to be out of it. The Guardians figured it out, coming to him to ask him how he's been doing with it all, with the only answer Tommy gave was that he's fine and ready to be de-morphed.
Hayley typed on the keyboard, the computer beeping seconds later to reveal the leather-clad Elsa kneeling beside a pit of green goo. "What's Elsa doing out there?" He asked, watching her lift the metal canister from her shoulder and placing it in the pit.
"Should I call the others?" Hayley asked.
"Wait, let's see what she's up to," Tommy stated, then returned his gaze to the screen. "She's taking some kind of sample."
When Elsa gathered enough, she lifted it up, laughing and disappearing from sight. Hayley sighed. "What was that stuff?" She asked.
"I don't know." Tommy turned his helmeted head to her, causing her to turn to him. "But is Elsa wants it, we better find out."
Tommy took off on his ATV, roaring out of the cave and racing to the quarry. "You should be at the pool site now, Tommy," Hayley told him over comms.
He skidded to a stop, walking to the pit. He knelt down. "Man, that's nasty." He commented. He turned around just in time to see claws flying at him. He stood up, getting hit in the chest. He turned around, finding a pod of Tyrannodrones. "Big surprise there." He muttered, rising and falling into a stance. "Brachio Staff." He called, unsheathing his sword and charging.
Lucy walked with the Rangers, laughing as they talked and headed to school. Kira lobbed Conner's red soccer ball to her, which the Silver Ranger deflected back to her, laughing when it took the Yellow Ranger by surprise. When she looked up, she found Ethan standing with Cassidy, setting up the details of their date, only…Devin walked up. "Hey Cass, can I…" Devin trailed off when Cassidy shot him a severe-toned look. "Oh, uh, I'll be other there." He walked off.
Ethan and Cassidy walked in front of them. "Are we still on for the picnic?" The Blue Ranger asked with uncertainty in his voice.
Cassidy smiled. "Yeah, totally. I thought we could start with a cheese appetizer and then for the main course brook trout almandine."
"No, let me handle everything," Ethan told her. "You're my guest. I don't want you to lift a finger."
"Oh, you're so sweet." Cassidy turned around, stopping the two. "And who says chivalry is dead?"
"Uh, most men," Lucy answered, earning laughs from the group and an arm around her shoulders. She waved to Cassidy, who walked off.
"See ya," Ethan stated. He turned his head when Conner slapped a hand on his shoulder. "What was I thinking?" He asked pathetically, stepping between Conner and Lucy.
"First date jitters?" Conner asked.
"I wouldn't know," Ethan stated. "This is my first date…ever."
"No way." Trent voiced.
Kira tossed the soccer ball to Lucy. "Oh, I think it's sweet."
"20 gigs hard drive with a 512 meg portable backup is sweet." Ethan rattled off. "This is pure torture."
"Dude, don't sweat it." Conner wrapped his arm around Ethan's shoulders. "We'll put you through dating boot camp. When you're finished, you'll be Cassidy and Casanova, the power couple of Reefside. Right guys?"
"Absolutely." Kira agreed.
Lucy nodded. "We'll get you there." She patted Ethan's shoulder. "First dates aren't supposed to be scary."
"Yeah? How'd you feel on yours?" Ethan turned to her.
"Absolutely terrified…Oh, I wasn't supposed to tell you, got it."
Tommy sliced a Tyrannodrone in the stomach, sending him to the ground. He blocked swings from two more and knocked them to the ground. He stopped a kick, then another, before slicing across his chest. He pushed against one, sending him back. He turned around, seeing another charge. He twisted around, pushing up and hitting him in the chest. He flipped through the air, landing on his ATV. "Time to clean up this mess." He revved the engine and began rolling toward them. "Lasers, fire!" He took off, firing lasers and ending up destroying all of them. "That did it."
When the battle ended, Tommy collected a large sample, lifting it up. "Let's see what this goo is all about."
The Rangers sat in the first period, all ready for Dr. Mercer's newest lecture. "Okay, class, Crocodile." He steps his football down on his desk. "Now, this amazing reptile has been around for millions of years without evolving. It's a testament to the creature's near perfection. It was about a million years—." He cut himself off, stopping suddenly and turning around. He collected himself, breathing.
"Is he all right?" A student asked.
Dr. Mercer turned around. "As I said, about a million years ago…excuse me for a moment, please." He took off, leaving the class suddenly with Trent trailing behind him.
Lucy glanced at Conner and Kira. "What the hell was that?" She muttered, now beginning to doodle on her notebook's open page.
Dr. Oliver handed the goo off at the lab to Hayley, letting her run tests. "Well? I guess slime really does pay."
Seconds later, the five teenage Rangers ran in from the cave while Crystal scrambled down the stairs, her hair in a knot at the crown of her head with a pen in. "What's the emergency?" Crystal asked, stopping near the rest of the team. "Sounded extremely important."
Lucy glanced at her. "Paperwork?"
Crystal rolled her eyes, clicking her tongue. "No." She fought. "Overseeing training, for the most part."
"Hey guys, Hayley thinks she can demorph me." Dr. Oliver stated.
The Rangers all had looks of shock written on their faces. They all shared their thoughts. "How?" Kira asked.
"With a little help of this slime," Hayley stated, walking to stand in front of Dr. Oliver. "It might work as a synthesizing agent that I think can help bring Tommy back to his normal self." She turned to look at him, with Dr. Oliver nodded.
Half an hour later, Dr. Oliver stood in a tube-shaped machine while Hayley held the slime. "Okay, I've input your molecular structure and DNA information, so now, to add the slime," Hayley announced. "I hope this works."
"You're not the only one." Dr. Oliver muttered.
"Good luck, Dr. O," Conner called, feeling Lucy slip her hand into his.
"Catch you on the flip side." Dr. Oliver stated.
Hayley placed the slime in the machine. "System activated." She announced, pushing a switch down and walking over to the group of teenagers. "Here we go."
The group watched the slime slide down the tube into the machine and crash onto Dr. Oliver's helmet. Seconds later, a flash took the Rangers by surprise, and when they looked back, the slime continued to fall around something, but Dr. Oliver was gone.
"What's going on?" Conner asked, looking at Hayley.
"He's gone!" Kira announced. She then noticed a towel being picked up, wiping away green slime. "Look, the towel." She pointed out.
"Dr. Oliver?" Conner called. "Are you there?"
"Yeah, I'm here." Dr. Oliver stated, still holding the towel. "Hayley, any guesses on what's going on?"
"Looks like the slime made your dino power of invisibility kick into overdrive." The genius answered.
Dr. Oliver sighed. "Great, I got my body back, but no one can see it."
"An invisible science teacher," Ethan grinned. "That is so totally graphic novel." He turned to see Conner and Trent snort while Crystal and Lucy shook their heads.
"Glad you find it funny, Ethan." Dr. Oliver walked away, towel still in his hand.
Kira turned to Hayley. "Is there anything you can do?"
Hayley turned back to where Dr. Oliver supposedly stood. "This is a tough one." She stated. "I have no idea how to counteract that agent."
"Don't worry, Dr. Oliver, we'll figure it out," Trent assured him.
"Uh, guys." Dr. Oliver called from behind the pod of Rangers. "Over here." They all turned around to find the towel floating near the stairs. "There's nothing you can do right now. Hayley and I will work on it."
"Guess now is a good time to give Ethan his makeover," Conner stated.
Crystal shot him a look. "What?"
Lucy leaned on her sister's shoulder. "Ethan has a date…with Cassidy Cornell." She sang the last part, moving to poke Ethan in the cheek.
"But…" Ethan tried, but Kira and Lucy were already starting to push him out of the lab with Conner, Trent, and Crystal behind them.
The Rangers took over the empty Cyberspace Cafe. Crystal asked Hayley and promised to keep the entire place neat before commandeering the keys and leading the Rangers into the building. She, Kira, and Lucy helped Ethan with his wardrobe, but everything he picked was almost immediately rejected by any one of the girls for various reasons. It reached the point where Kira hung upside down on the couch, and Lucy and Crystal lay on the ground, groaning when Ethan walked away, very unhappy.
Then Conner took over, with Lucy and Crystal moving to help Trent with his portion of the training. The Red and Blue Ranger tangoed up and down the bar, Ethan with a rose between his teeth. Lucy chuckled, watching her boyfriend be the one to be tipped over, ultimately him falling on the couch and Ethan striking a pose.
Finally, Trent helped Ethan with the presentation of the picnic food. "Okay." Trent grabbed the sparkling juice bottle while Ethan roughly grabbed one of the glasses. "Hold it at the bottom." He instructed, watching Ethan adjust his hands. He leaned over with the bottom. "Tip the glass. Try not to hit the rim. Twist." He described, narrating his actions. He then watched Ethan down the whole thing into his mouth and shook his head. "What are you doing?" Ethan tried to give an answer, and Trent just sighed quietly. "First." He stated, tapping his glasses with Ethan. "Cheers."
"Well, I think our work here is done," Conner announced.
"You think you're ready?" Kira asked.
Ethan nodded after swallowing his mouthful of juice. "Yeah, I'm feeling pretty good." He nodded when all the Rangers smiled. "I can do this." He pushed himself up and walked to the door…only to turn around and walk back. "I can't do this. I can't. I can't do it." He sat back down.
"Look, just be yourself, and she can't help but like you," Kira stated, then glanced at Lucy, sprawled on one of the couches shoved against the wall, her head on her sister's bicep and her legs over the arm. Crystal sat straight, a book in her lap. "You two have anything?"
Crystal pursed her lips momentarily, looking up from her book. "I'm with Kira. Be yourself. She can shove off if she doesn't like you for you."
Lucy didn't move, her eyes finding Ethan. "I think that's solid advice to remember. Why would you want to date her if she doesn't like who you are?"
Crystal pressed her lips together and quirked an eyebrow at Ethan. "Actually, why do you want to date her?" She asked, closing her book with her thumb between the pages. "Seriously, the two of you are opposites."
"'Cause I like her." Ethan shot her a look that had Crystal rolling her eyes and returning to the book she held in her hands. Ethan breathed out. "All right, be me." He rose to his feet again when everyone's morphers went off.
"Oh, you lucked out." Conner pointed to Ethan, climbing to his feet and helping Lucy up with Crystal's help. The Rangers scrambled out of the cafe.
"I'll check in with Dr. O," Trent announced.
"We'll come too," Crystal added.
The three Rangers sped out of the cave. They raced through the forest and into the city, stopping when they saw a monster stalking through a stadium. "Giant thorny thing looks about right," Conner called as the five climbed off the bikes and rounded them. "Hey, didn't your mother ever teach you some manners?"
"I'll show you what she taught me."
The Rangers moved to attack, but the monster pulled a green whip out, swinging it around before wrapping it around the three primary Rangers. "All right, now what?" Kira asked, struggling against the rope.
"Lasers!" Conner called, reaching for his blaster and firing shots at the monster with Ethan and Kira. The ropes fell from the Rangers, allowing Conner to call his weapon. "Tyranno staff." He charged, but the monster caught it, throwing him over the ledge and into the parking lot below.
"Conner!" Kira called, running to him and Ethan.
The monster stood across from them. "Think I'll try out my golf swing." He held Conner's staff and swung it around. "Don't try this at home." He called, lining up his shot.
"Golf?" Conner asked while the other Rangers were surprised.
The monster swung, sending the now three balls at the Rangers and sending them back. They crashed on their backs while the beast landed in front of them. "See you in the clubhouse."
Ethan climbed to his feet. "Oh, man, I'm late for my date." He took off running.
"Good luck!"
As the sisters and Trent got cameras on Ethan's date, Conner and Kira returned from the fight. He and Cassidy sat on the cliffs overlooking beaches Lucy recognized and even surfed in. "I, uh, hope you're hungry." Ethan lifted one of the baskets.
"You didn't have to go through all this trouble," Cassidy told him. "I'm glad you did, though."
Standing behind Lucy's chair while Trent leaned on the table between Kira and Lucy, Conner smiled. "My man." He smiled proudly. "Making big points there."
Crystal turned to Kira and Lucy, having claimed the third chair. "I'd give him brownie points for handling an entire picnic." The girls agreed with her. "Ugh, I wish my boyfriend put in the effort." She turned at the laughter coming from beside her, seeing the girls doubled over. "He's more of a movie night boyfriend then a picnic one."
Kira smiled, then scrunched her nose. "Aw, how cute is he?"
"Let's eat," Ethan stated, moving to set everything up.
Trent nodded. "So far, so good." He sighed.
"Looks like I'm not the only excellent teacher around here." Dr. Oliver spoke from beside Crystal, causing the ninja to let out a scream that barely sounded human.
"Dr. Oliver!" Crystal huffed out a breath, a hand to her heart. "A little warning next time."
Dr. Oliver chuckled. "Sorry, Crystal."
Lucy cackled, leaning back in her chair. "I wish I had that on video."
Crystal glared at her younger sister. "I will hit you."
"This is a perfect day for a picnic. Don't you just love being outside in the fresh air?" Cassidy asked, drawing all attention.
Ethan shrugged. "I guess it's okay. I spend most of my time indoors gaming."
"Gaming?"
"Playing games online," Ethan answered. "The other day, I was playing this one battle station extreme, and I was up against all these other players, and they had way more weapons than me."
"No!" Conner grumbled, walking away for a moment.
Lucy slapped her forehead. "This is like when Dustin texted me for pointers and still managed to talk about Motocross." She laughed.
"Of course he didn't listen." Crystal turned to her. "Marah complained to Cam, Hunter, and me about the date; then I managed to smooth it all over."
Lucy sat up, gasping. "That was you?"
"Yeah, that was me." Crystal nodded.
Conner groaned. "I specifically told him not to go into geek mode."
"I hacked into security and busted right into their force field." Ethan grinned.
Cassidy shot him an uncomfortable smile that Ethan caught on as he fell seconds later. "But I bet you don't want to hear about that stuff."
"No!" Cassidy told him. "It's really interesting." The two fell into an uncomfortable silence. "Oh, by the way, I'm covering the big playoff on Sunday. Are you gonna go?"
"I really don't like basketball."
"Football." Cassidy corrected.
Ethan frowned. "Oh, right. Sorry." They fell into another silence that Ethan tried to cover for. "Hey! How about some sparkling cider." He shoved the glass toward Cassidy, spilling some on her salmon-pink sweater. She awkwardly chuckled and brushed it off. "Sorry, you're sweater's ruined."
"No, it's okay. It's only cashmere."
"He's having a complete meltdown." Conner sighed.
Crystal pressed her lips together. "He's socially awkward; what part of that is hard to understand?"
"This is so sad to watch," Trent muttered.
"Dr. O, can we do anything to help him?" Kira asked, turning over her shoulder. There was no answer. "Dr. Oliver? Where did he go?" The Rangers kept looking around, trying to find the doctor again.
"This was a bad idea," Ethan complained.
"What?"
"This whole date thing. It's a total disaster."
"I wouldn't say disaster… more like a series of tragic accidents." Cassidy jumped when the candles began to pop one by one. "Oh, how'd you do that?"
"They're…trick candles." Ethan lied, his brain thinking about how his science teacher—their science teacher—might be the one behind this.
"Oh, cute!"
A bouquet of flowers floated behind Cassidy, and Ethan's eyes grew twice their normal size. The bouquet dropped right next to Ethan, and he had to think quickly. "These are for you." He handed them to her.
"Oh! They're so pretty you really are fully surprised, Ethan," Cassidy stated, marveling at the flowers.
"Sometimes, I surprise myself," Ethan muttered.
Kira eyed the sisters. "I think Ethan might be getting a little help."
"You think?" Trent asked.
The music suddenly started to play out of the CD player Ethan brought with them. His eyes grew bigger. Now he knew Dr. Oliver was here, helping with his invisibility. Cassidy smiled. "I love this song."
"Do you wanna dance?" Ethan asked, hesitant.
"Sure." Cassidy smiled.
"Great." Ethan helped her up, just as Lucy and Conner showed him earlier. The two began the tango when Tyrannodrones ruined the date. "You've got to be kidding." Ethan turned to her. "Cassidy, run."
"You don't have to tell me twice." Cassidy took off, leaving Ethan alone.
Dino Thunder, Power Up!
Tricera Power!
Ethan flipped into his pod, immediately catching a punch and tossing him aside. He high-kicked another, seeing the punch of one and hitting him in the stomach. He spun around, high kicking over a Tyrannodrone, then used his other foot to kick him back into the weeds. Just as another came at him, he stopped suddenly, getting thrown around until he fell off the cliff. "Woah, that's crazy," Ethan muttered. Two more were slammed together. "Dr. O? Is that you?"
The rest of the drones fell in seconds. "Thought you could use a little help."
"In more ways than one."
Back at the lab, the sisters intently watched the screen. "We gotta help him." Crystal began to rise, but a beeping cut her off.
"Slow your roll, hotshot," Lucy muttered, turning to the screen. "Looks like insect-o-freak's back."
"We gotta take care of these guys first," Conner stated. The Rangers moved to the open center, their morphers appearing in seconds. "Ready?"
"Ready."
White Ranger, Dino Power!
Eclipse Ranger, Dino Power!
Dino Thunder, Power Up!
Dino Power!
Guardian of the Sun!
Guardian of the Moon!
The five landed in front of the monster and the White Ranger, rising quickly. "Tyrannodrones!" The monster called on his pods. "Get them."
The Ranger charged into battle. Trent spun around, dodging a swing and kicking another one. He caught the fist of a third, twisting him around and using him as a platform to kick another in the chest.
"Time to get thorny." The monster called, forming sky-blue lightning around him. From his shoulders, two large, pale blue spikes formed.
"Whoa." Kira cried out.
As Kira faced off against the monster, it let out a sinister laugh and lunged towards her. "Now you see the point." The Yellow Ranger backflipped to avoid a swing, then kicked once she landed. He blocked. She dodged two punches and tried to knee, but the monster stopped it, pushing her leg down. Kira swung again, but the monster caught her arm and spun her around, surprising her. Despite her best efforts to dodge and counter, the monster proved to be too strong and easily overpowered her, sending her tumbling to the ground. "You're no match for Tree."
Meanwhile, Conner found himself locked in a fierce battle with the White Ranger. The two were evenly matched, exchanging a flurry of punches and kicks as they fought tooth and nail for the upper hand. However, it was the White Ranger who eventually gained the advantage, seizing the opportunity to hurl Conner across the plaza with a powerful blow.
Just when it seemed as though the monster and White Ranger were poised for victory, they stepped back when the Gold and Silver Rangers arrived. The Solar Guardian charged blade by her side. Crystal kicked the monster back, rolling under his swing. She jumped up, slashing his back, and flipped over him. She scored his back when she landed, kicking him to the White Ranger. He whipped around, jumping back when Crystal slammed her broadsword on the ground, pushing off the ground to chase after him and eventually slicing across his torso. He cried out, whipping around to hit Crystal, but the ninja dodged, rolling and using her upper body to kick him back into the White Ranger.
Lucy, in particular, proved to be a formidable opponent as she fearlessly engaged the White Ranger in a heated clash of swords and fists. After a brief but intense exchange, Lucy emerged victorious, using her cunning and strength to throw the White Ranger off-balance and onto the ground. With her sword at the ready, she delivered the final blow that sent the White Ranger flying away from the other Rangers, defeated.
Laser blasts shocked the psycho duo, forcing them around to find Ethan on his hovercycle. "Have no fear, Blue Ranger's here." He flew around, jumping from the bike and landing in front of all the Rangers. "Who wants to go?"
"I really wasn't worried." Crystal breathed, regrouping with the other Rangers. "But cool entrance."
"Thanks." Ethan nodded.
"Let's take it to the next level," Conner announced. "Super Dino Mode." The three transformed into their secondary powers, the spikes coming out. The Guardians appeared on either side of them, blades in their hands.
"You'll never get rid of this thorn in your side." The creature crowed.
The Rangers gathered together, primary on one side and Guardians on the other. "We'll see about that." Conner shot back.
"You're about to have the pruning of your life," Kira added.
Ethan switched stances. "We're through playing nice."
"Words are pointless." The White Ranger announced.
Ethan and Kira pushed off the ground, flipping and slicing down on the monster. The Blue and Yellow Rangers performed a series of simultaneous roundhouse kicks to the monster. They backed up, allowing Lucy into the mix. She brought her blade down on the monster, knocking him back. Lifting her sword and spinning around, the Lunar Guardian smacked the monster, pushing him back further.
Conner blocked the blade swing from the White Ranger. The Red Ranger slashed across his chest. Then again. "My turn." He brandished his staff. "Tyranno staff! Energy Orb! Full power!" He sent the blast to the White Ranger, causing him to spark and fly across the plaza, smoking.
The Rangers gathered together as the monsters did the same thing. "Don't think this is over yet, Rangers." The White Ranger grumbled.
Crystal rested her sword on her shoulder. "Hardly."
"We don't." Conner breathed. "But this should do the trick." He lifted the combined blaster.
"Z-Rex blaster!" The Rangers called out.
"Ready…" Kira nodded.
"Aim…" Ethan called.
"Fire!" Conner pulled the trigger, sending out the powerful dino-fused blast to the monsters on the other side of them. The White Ranger jumped out of the way, letting the monster take the blast's brunt. He screamed, exploding in seconds.
On the other side, Trent dealt with the pod of Tyrannodrones. He jumped back when Lucy took one out at his side, nearly tackling the Ranger. "You're welcome." She muttered, slicing another one.
Trent kicked one back, sending him into the rest. They disappeared seconds later. Trent turned to Lucy. "Thanks."
"Looked like you could use the help," Crystal told him, replacing her sword on her back.
"Didn't really. That wasn't so tough." Trent smiled under his helmet. "Thanks, though."
Back at the monster site, the Rangers watched the dark cloud rain down on the monster, bringing him back to life and towering over them. "Talk about Miracle-Gro!" He laughed.
"It's Zord time," Conner called, calling on the three zords that made up the Thundersaurus Megazord.
The Thundersaurus stood across from the monster in a flash, but that didn't stop him. He jumped up, flipping over and kicking the Megazord in the chest, knocking him back a few steps. He landed back on the street. "Try to stop me now!" He charged again, spinning around to kick, then kick again.
"Guys, we have to focus," Conner assured the two with him. They turned around to find the Evil White Ranger standing on the other side in his Megazord. The two blasted the Rangers, sending them stumbling and scrambling for their orbs. They fell to the ground.
Conner pulled his Triassic shield out. "Time to go Triassic!"
"Right!" Kira and Ethan nodded. They fed the shield with their powers, allowing Conner to transform into the Triassic Ranger.
Conner took off from the Thundersaurus to the now thundering Mezodon Rover. "Mezodon Megazord, formation! Engage." Then, two Megazords stood against the monster and the Evil Ranger.
"That evened things up," Ethan commented, still piloting the Thundersaurus Megazord with Kira.
"Not for long." The White Ranger snarled, charging with the monster. The two Ranger Megazords sliced the stomachs of the other two, sending them stumbling.
"Say good night. Wheel-spin attack!" Conner announced, powering up the golden wheels on the shoulders of the Mezodon. They spun into the monster, causing him to scream in pain and spark.
"Don't forget about us. Tyranno Drill!" Kira added in, slicing down the White Ranger's Megazord.
The monster and the Megazord stuttered, then froze before they fell into an explosion, sparks and fire everywhere. Only the White Megazord climbed back to his feet. "It'll take more than that to beat me." He fell into a stance and disappeared in a flash of light.
—
Lucy led Crystal, Trent, Conner, and Kira to where she found Ethan on his computer in Hayley's. "Dude! What are you doing here? Not gonna finish your big date?" Conner called out, stopping behind Ethan with Lucy and Trent on one side and Kira and Crystal on the other.
"Oh, that." Ethan sighed, not looking away from his screen. "Cassidy's great, but I discovered we don't have much in common."
"We could have told you that." Kira motioned to the girls around her.
"Actually, I did." Crystal motioned to herself, earning shoves from Kira and Lucy.
"Plus, I'm a Ranger. I've gotta be ready to go whenever duty calls." Ethan admitted. "I don't know how to tell her it's over. I think she really likes me."
Trent leaned down, looking at the door. "Better think of something quick." He rose and glanced at the four Rangers with him. "I'm gonna go see if Hayley needs some help in the back."
"We'll come with." Lucy agreed quickly, pushing Conner's shoulder while she, Crystal, and Kira laughed, racing to the back with the boys beside them
On the other hand, Ethan straightened in his chair when he saw Cassidy approaching him. "Cassidy, I…."
"Ethan, before you go on, there's something I need to say," Cassidy stated, interrupting him. "You're a really nice guy, and I like you, but I'm a reporter, and my career has to come first."
"But I was gonna…."
Cassidy cut him off again. "I'm sorry, I have to be able to go whenever duty calls. I just don't have time to get involved with anyone right now. I really hope you understand."
Ethan turned away, smiling over his other shoulder before turning back. "Yeah, I understand." He told her. "But do you think you still might have time to be friends?"
"Friends? Yeah, that'd be great!" Cassidy smiled.
Crystal returned to the back, being the only one to listen in on the conversation. "Crisis averted, lady and gentlemen. Cassidy told him off." She laughed.
Kira chuckled. "Ethan didn't…"
Crystal shook her head, laughing even more. "Didn't even have a chance."
Next Episode: Fighting Spirit