Continued from the last chapter…

Trent's mind was in overdrive as he watched the teens shop. He was silently cursing that bastard to hell for causing all this trouble. He was doing his best to be a father figure to Katsume and then that mother fucking bastard just had to throw a monkey wrench into everything!

"The next move is yours, Trent." Tommy said as he walked along side his former student. "I'm sure you'll want to get your son out of Angel Grove as soon as possible."

"Yeah, I am." Trent replied with flashing eyes. "If that pig is still in the city than I need to get Paladin out as soon as possible. I'm going to take him completely out of state until that arrogant dickhead is out of commission."

Their dark gazes met and then looked away. "I've got things here if you want to go make your reservations. I'm betting that the rest of the Miscreants will want to come along. I don't know how the civilian parents will decide, but I know for sure that Kyle, Autumn and Elisa are being pulled out.

"I know I said that we were going to stick close to the manor before the trip, but I'm going to move sooner than that. As soon as the Teens are done with their shopping, we should grab some drive through and then go home. I'm gonna have Paladin pack a duffle bag and his art supplies and we're getting on the first flight available.

Tommy nodded and then looked at Kimberly. "We're coming with you then. If Elisa and Autumn are coming along, then we should be additional chaperones."

Trent gave his mentor a raised eyebrow. "And what are you going to tell The Little Ninja?"

Tommy smirked. "That's not going to be a problem. Her grandparents are eager to see her again. I call them to baby sit and they'll be over within the hour. When her Grandparents are in the room, we don't exist anymore."

The Manor

A couple hours later

"If you guys are going, then you need to get to your lair and pack for a week." Rocky said as he looked at Kyle and Autumn.

"Don't waste too much time fussing over clothes". Adam added looking at his daughter. "I'm putting more money into your prepaid account. Anything extra you need, can be bought once you get to Portland."

"Is that where we're going?" Kyle asked.

Rocky nodded. "Yes. The plane leaves in a few hours, so hurry up."

Before long, the teens, including Elisa in her wheelchair were being loaded into the La Carlita that had been quickly emptied once they got home. There had been a brief discussion about which vehicles to take, but in the end, they had decided to take the Hummer Limo again. It would ultimately save on gas and there would be no need to spend any extra money to park the car in the parking lot. Rocky would drive them to the airport and then come back home. Aisha of course was going along so she could see her son off; she would miss him terribly as this was the first time they'd be separated by sheer distance.

While they stood off to the side, Adam was busy raking Kyle over the coals while Tanya hugged her daughter.

"Take care of my girl, she may be your mate, but she was my daughter first."

"You didn't want to leave that speech for our wedding day?" Kyle asked as he looked at his future father in law.

"Don't be a smart ass, Pyre." Adam answered. "This is a dangerous situation, and it's my prerogative to remind you to look after her as many times as I want."

"Yes sir." Kyle answered, seeing how serious Adam was.

"Good. Now give me a few minutes with my daughter."

Trent stood by the door as Katsume helped Elisa into the back seat of the car. In the meantime, The Miscreants were huddled up, briefly discussing what would happen while they were separated.

"Our parents already okayed the trip, but they want us to spend a few days with them before going so far away." Lief said. "Grandma said she misses me with all the time I spend here, so, I'm spending a few more days with her before Sapphire and I hop a plane to meet you guys."

"My dad is okay with it, but he wants to drive me there personally. Kind of like an impromptu father son trip." Rook said. "We'll all meet up in Portland."

"In the meantime, I've let dad know about our plans for that throne. He already said he'd do the basics for us so that our set up will be ready for us when we get back. Do you remember what we discussed?"

Rook nodded. "I'll sketch it out so your dad and the others will know what we want it to look like. I think it'll give them something to do while they're missing you."

"All right you guys, let's load up!" Trent called from the driver's seat of the SUV.

Katsume glanced at his dad and then at the group. "We'll see you guys when you get there."

Kyle and Autumn nodded and then they put their hands in the middle. "Miscreants, Roll out!"

After the girls hugged each other, those departing walked towards the limo and Kyle helped his mate to climb in and then climbed in himself.

Tommy and Kim took turns hugging their daughter. "You be good for your grandma and grandpa. We'll see you at the end of the week."

Kayla hugged her parents back. "I'll miss you! Be safe!"

With an extra kiss and hug, both parents turned to the limo and while Kim held the baby in her sling, Tommy secured the rear facing car seat into place. Once everyone was seated, La Carlita pulled out of the driveway and towards the Airport.

As the limo drove down the road, Trent's phone went off telling him that he had a new email. He tapped the screen and nodded to himself, putting it away, he looked at his mentor. "That was confirmation of our tickets, did you manage to get your tickets as well?"

Tommy nodded. "Yeah, sadly we weren't able to score first class seats like we wanted to. But it's only about an hour and a half flight, we'll be fine in coach. What did you get?"

"It was a little more, but we got First Class seats." Trent said regretfully. "With Elisa in a wheelchair and it being Katsume's first flight, I figured it best to let Money talk…you pay more, but you get better service."

"Good thinking." Tommy said approvingly. He wanted to say more, but the nervous look on Katsume's face made him stop and go back to checking his phone.

The rode the rest of the way in silence..

The Airport

Thankfully, Trent was correct in his assumptions. The people at the curb were very helpful and while they helped check in the luggage, Trent and Katsume helped Elisa in to her chair.

As this was going on, Rocky and Aisha pulled their son off to the side to have a proper goodbye.

Rocky hugged his son again and then held him at arm's length. "It's doubtful you'll be followed, but I still want you to be aware of your surroundings. Remember everything I taught you and keep each other safe."

"Yes, Sir."

Rocky nodded and then pulled out a 50 from his pocket. "Spend wisely. This is just incase your card doesn't work properly. You'd be surprised how many times that can happen."

"Thanks dad. I love you both."

"We love you too, son."

Aisha hugged her son longer. "I hate having you so far away from me with everything that happened. But I know you'll take care of each other.

We've got this mom, we're miscreants."

Aisha wiped away a tear. "I know, baby. You are your father's son. Just be careful out there and make us proud. If you need anything, call me."

Kyle hugged his mother tightly. "I will. I promise."

Autumn stepped up to them. "I'll look after him. He's my mate, we learned everything from you guys."

Aisha took a deep breath. "I know you will. You guys should get going."

The process of getting through security was as easy as Trent predicted. With his VIP status, they were let through pretty easy though the ladies were just cooing over Tommy who was holding Maverick in a baby sling close to his chest. Kimberly only rolled her eyes while shouldering the manly looking diaper bag over her shoulder.

By the time everyone got to the waiting area, everyone was kind of paunchy and ready to get to their destination. While they waited, Kyle and Autumn sat closely together listening to some music on his MP3 player. The Olivers sat in the corner to give Kimberly some privacy as she fed their son and Tommy read a fitness magazine.

That left Trent who was busy on his laptop and the newest couple sitting awkwardly next to each other.

This was not what Elisa had in mind when thinking about spending more time with her new beau. She had been thoroughly enjoying things while they were shopping and trying on costumes…and then that stupid bitch had opened her mouth and spewed her venom…

"Paladin. We need to get rid of the elephant in the room. It's taking up too much space."

Katsume looked at her with a pained expression. "I'm sorry about what happened earlier, I never meant for you to find out about what happened…not like that."

Elisa grimaced. "But now that it's out in the open, we should talk about it, before it ruins this entire vacation."

Trent peered up at the conversation but said nothing. This had to play out without any help.

"What's there to talk about? My secret is out in the open now and now you know my dirty secrets."

"That lady was nothing but a bully, no different than Jezebel and her minions. They were doing everything they could to belittle me and every other disabled kid in the school. They took so much satisfaction out of rendering me helpless and that stupid bimbo at the flea market was doing the same thing to you. Jezebel's minions stole my crutches and that bimbo spewed your secrets and humiliated you. I don't see the difference between my bullies and yours."

Paladin deflated at her words and sighed heavily. Elisa gently placed her hands over his. "Neither of us can go back and change what happened. But, what we can do is move on from this. Knowing what happened to you doesn't change how I feel about you. You got drugged and used, but that wasn't you're doing anymore than it was my fault for being born with disabilities. Things just happen and there's not a lot that can be done about it."

With those words, Elisa managed to turn what Katsume had seen as a mountain back into an mole hill and then set it on fire. He gave her a speechless look.

"I've read my share of romance novels and they all seem to end the same way. The heroine of the story has her secret found out and then runs off before her lover can stop her and then it takes months for them to get back together. Personally, I'd rather just bypass the drama and skip ahead to the part where we kill the monster and then ride off into the sunset."

Katsume snorted at the imagery and then looked at his girlfriend.

"You make it sound so easy."

Elisa nodded. "It can be, if we take it down together. I really want to build up this relationship up and for us to flourish…but we'll need to work together to make it happen."

Katsume grinned at her bold challenge. "Shall we continue, Lady Olanys?"

"Yes, let's do this, Paladin."

Kimberly grinned at the sight. "God, can they get any cuter?" She whispered to Tommy.

He only grinned at her and went back to reading the article.

Meanwhile, across the way, Kyle and Autumn were in a world of their own. She'd pulled out her smartphone and was scrolling through a costume shop's website and Kyle was lightly commenting on each one he saw.

"Please, Corazon. Stay away from Leg Avenue, I don't want to spend the whole night beating the vultures up."

Autumn snorted. "You're saying that you don't want to see me in that sexy getup?"

Kyle gave her a look. "No need, I can see all of you whenever I want…please, for my sanity, get a regular costume."

Autumn snorted and scrolled past the sexy catholic costume and on to the others.

"Ok, so I think I want to go as a dragon. I'd just need some wings, a set of horns and a trip to Hot Topic to get the rest. I need to get a swimsuit anyway. In all the rush to pack, I forgot mine."

"Now that's an idea…I can't wait to see you in a two piece." He gave her a sneaky look and shenarrowed her eyes.

"So, you don't want me in a sexy schoolgirl costume, but you have no issue with me wearing a bikini."

Kyle gave her a sheepish look. "Sorry, Corazon. I'm a man of simple tastes…and you in a two piece…I can't help myself."

Autumn shook her head. "Yeah, I'll be buying a coverup to go with it…and a pair of swim shorts."

Kyle pouted at her, but she simply kept scrolling through her phone.

In what seemed no time at all, their gate number was called and they all got in line to have their boarding passes scanned. Down the concourse they walked until they got to the door of the plane and Elisa stood up and was handed her crutches. Her wheelchair would be checked in with the other large items and would be waiting for her when they arrived at their destination.

When they were finally up in the clouds, Katsume looked over at his girlfriend who was looking through a costume magazine and lingering over the men's section.

"You planning to dress me up?" He asked in a teasing voice.

She grinned up at him. "Every elven lady needs a paladin to defend her against all evil candy thieves."

He gently pointed to a knight costume. "I wouldn't think the almighty rogue elf would need a paladin to protect her."

Elisa sighed heavily. "I'll need a paladin once we get to Sea World."

When her boyfriend looked at her in question, she added. "Anytime I'm in a public place, like a theme park or even at a mall, people will take advantage of the fact that I'm in a wheelchair. People get impatient and will cut in front of me, crowd around me and reach over me, just because they think I can't speak up for myself. It gets really exhausting and frustrating. It's one of the reasons I prefer to use my crutches instead."

"And the other reason?" Katsume asked softly.

Elisa bit her lip. "I'm not ready to talk about that yet… not in such a public place."

Katsume wanted to press for more information, but he held back, the look on her face was silently begging him to let it go. He would, for now.

He took a deep breath and then looked at the picture again. "I'm all for being a virtuous knight, but I refuse to wear tights."

Elisa giggled at him as she turned the page.

Holiday Inn

It was a tired group of travelers that trudged through the open doors of the Inn. As the teens sat in the lobby, Tommy and Trent walked up to the desk to check in and pick up the room keys. For the week leading up to them departing on Amtrak, they would be staying in three rooms, one of them being an accessible suite which the ladies would be occupying the other two were for the men.

After getting the keys, Tommy walked over to the teenagers. "Ok, lets go. I know we're all on vacation, but for the week, it's boys and girls in separate rooms."

Kimberly stood next to Elisa and Autumn. "We get the accessible suite on the bottom floor. Plenty of room to chill out and be girls…well, when I'm not busy taking care of a very cute baby boy."

Tommy turned to Kyle and Katsume. "Looks like we're roomies. Let's get going."

Trent took his own key card. "And I'll be in my own suite." He said to Katsume. "But I'll be checking in on you."

"You need anything, I'll be in my room."

Katsume gave him a questioning look.

"I'm a private person, son." Trent answered. In a softer voice he added, "Remember the real reason we're here so early."

Katsume nodded and then in a normal voice, he answered. "Okay Dad, I guess I'll see you in the morning."

Trent smiled at him and squeezed his shoulder. "Sleep well, Paladin."

In true gentleman fashion, Tommy and the guys carried the extra luggage to the girls room and said their good nights. Katsume lingered for a moment and then asked to steal a moment with his girlfriend. She stood up on her crutches and followed him a ways down the hall to the seating area.

"What's on your mind?"

Katsume sighed softly. "You. How amazing you are, how well you're taking this."

Elisa smiled at him. "There is something really special about you, and I want to find out what it is. No relationship is easy, and I think it's all just a speed bump in the road. We'll just drive carefully over it."

Katsume gave her a long look and then kissed her cheek. "Good night, my lady."

Elisa smiled at him and then kissed him back; this time, she kissed his lips. "Good night, my Paladin."

Kimberly watched from the doorway as the lovesick teenagers hugged once more and then parted ways for the night.

The beaming smile on her young face told Kimberly everything. She shook her head in amusement as Elisa walked through the door. "Time for bed, Milady. We're going on a shopping spree tomorrow; you'll need to get lots of sleep."

30 minutes later

All was quiet in the room except for Kim who sat on her bed quietly nursing her son. Autumn was already asleep though she was just a little fitful and Elisa lay in her bed listening to her iPod. She'd never really been an easy sleeper, not without her music; being in a buz from her boyfriends sweet words wasn't helping either.

She inhaled deeply as the next song came on. She'd always loved this song…even before she knew the full story about the woman singing it. It seemed to give life to her love-sick thoughts in a very visceral way…

She smiled in the dark as the song continued.

Cause I'm dreaming of you tonight
'Til tomorrow, I'll be holding you tight
And there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be
Than here in my room dreaming about you and me

So, there you have it. I wasn't planning for the story to go this way, but this is better than what I had planned. Now that the heavy stuff is over, the fun can begin.

The partial lyrics from above are from Selena's song. "Dreaming of You." This song just fits them in a cute innocent way. When I think of Katsume and Elisa, this song plays in my head.

Anyway, feel free to click the review button and tell me what you think of these last two chapters. I'll see you all next time!