Chapter 8: kisses, fights, and make-up's

A few days went by, Summer and Hunter were hanging out a lot at work, and sometimes afterwards, Blake had yet to ask out Tori, Cam and Larissa hadn't seen much of each other, Shane was back to his usually self after the swelling on his eye began to go down a bit, and Joey hadn't spoken to any of their new friends. Tori and Summer were at the beach together. They had just spent some time surfing and wake boarding and were now lounging on the sand.

"So," Tori began, "What's the deal with you and Hunter?" She asked. Summer shrugged.

"Nothing. We're just friends." She said. 'For now.' She thought to herself. "It seems like its more then friends." Tori commented nonchalantly.

"Well, what's the deal with you and Blake?" Summer asked, turning the tables.

"Nothing, we're just friends." Tori said. Summer smirked.

"Really? Oh, that's good." She said.

"It is?" Tori asked, confused. Summer nodded. "Uh huh. Because, I was thinking of asking him out. I mean, he's a real cutie." Tori's head snapped at her quickly, jealousy raging inside her.

"Excuse me?" She demanded. "You are not asking him out." Summer laughed.

"Wow, for someone who's just a friend, you sure are possessive." "It's just well...um..." Tori began. Summer laughed.

"Oh Tori I was only joking. I'd never ask Blake out.... not my type." Summer told her. Tori blushed three different shades of red. Summer continued to giggle when a shadow stepped in the way of Summer and Tori's sunlight. "Hey! What's the meani-Hey Hunter!" Summer exclaimed. Hey." Hunter said smiling softly. She looked absolutely beautiful wear a two- piece pink and white bikini. Blake stood beside Hunter and was talking to Tori quietly. Hunter held out his arm indicating that he wanted to walk and Summer took it gently and they began strolling down the beach.

Blake and Tori watched Summer and Hunter walking off.

"And they expect us to believe they're just friends?" Tori smirked. Blake laughed and sat down on the sand beside her.

"They're taking it slow, I imagine." Blake said. Tori looked at him.

"I guess so." She said. "What's the deal with that? I mean, I say carpe diem, cease the day. Taking it slow is boring." She said. Hunter and Summer strolled arm in arm down the beach. Neither had much to say, their quietness expressing their feelings the best. 'Maybe I should just go out with him. I mean the feelings are obviously mutual now.' Summer's mind was saying. Hunter's mind was saying something totally different. 'Maybe I should just stop doing this to myself and just say "lets be friends". I dunno if she's just leading me on, or if her feelings are real.'

Summer pulled her arm away from Hunter's and looked him in the eyes. Hunter turned slowly. "We need to talk." The both said at the same time. They laughed. "You first." Hunter prodded. Summer let out her breath slowly and looked at him. "I've been thinking long and hard about this Hunter. And I've come to a decision..." She began. Hunter just stared at her. 'Oh no, she's going to give me the speech first.' His mind screamed. He shut his eyes tightly as she began to speak again. "I'd like to try being something more than friends." She told him quietly. His eyes snapped open. "What?" He asked. Summer smiled. "Here's my answer." The blond said. And before Hunter could get two words in edgewise her soft lips were pressed gently against his. When she pulled away she looked at him again. "Now what were you going to say Hunter?" She asked. Hunter looked at her. "I don't remember." He told her. Summer laughed and hugged him.

Blake looked at Tori.

"So," he said. "You really believe that a person should 'cease the day'?" He asked. Tori looked at him and nodded.

"Yeah, I mean, you only live once. It's better to do what you really want to do then to not do it and wonder what would've happe-mmph." Tori was cut off by Blake pressing his lips to hers. Tori was shocked. Blake pulled back. He looked at her. Tori blinked. "Umm.... What was that?" She asked. "I think it was me, ceasing the day." He replied. He suddenly got worried. "Maybe I shouldn't have." He said. "I'm sor..." He was cut off by Tori pressing her lips to his. "Next time, try not to wait so long to do some ceasing." She said, giving a flirtatious smile.

Hunter took Summer's small hand in his and intertwined their fingers. He was floating on cloud nine now. "So...what made you change your mind?" He asked. Summer shrugged. "I guess just spending more time with you." She told him. Hunter smiled gently. The poor boy was so happy he though he was going to break out into song. "So when do we go out on our first "date"?" Hunter asked. Summer smiled. "Do you wanna come over tonight and we can watch a movie and hang?" She asked innocently. Hunter nodded. "Sounds good. You want to pick the movie or me?" He asked. Summer though about it for a minute. "You can pick it out." She told him. Hunter smiled. "OK sounds good." He told her.

"You what?!" Joey screamed. Summer looked at her. She had just gotten home from the beach and told Joey and Larissa about what happened.

"I kissed him." Summer said slowly. Larissa smiled.

"Go Summer." Larissa said. Joey glared at her.

"Shut up." She snapped. She looked at Summer. "And he's coming here, tonight?"

"Yeah." "Oh no he isn't. Because you did not consult us, your room mates. I mean, maybe Larissa doesn't feel like having you two making out in the living room."

"I don't have a problem with it." Larissa shrugged. "I'll just be in my room." She looked at Summer. "Just don't be too noisy." She winked. Summer laughed. Joey glared at them both.

"Fine! Maybe I don't feel like having you two making out in the living room!" Joey groaned. "Well, Larissa's OK with it, and we know I'm OK with it, so I guess majority rules." Summer shrugged. "So, either lock yourself in your room, or your studio, or go out." Joey glared at her.

"Fine, I'll go out." She snarled.

Summer stood in her room deciding on what to wear. They were staying in but she couldn't decide for the life of her what to wear. Throwing clothes randomly around the room she finally decided on a pair of nearly skin-tight black jeans with silver buttons down the sides.... standing in her pink bra, Summer couldn't decided on what top to wear. Larissa walked in and sat down on Summer's mattress, which hadn't been turned into a bed yet. "Can't decide?" Larissa asked. Summer turned around. "I picked out my pants, but I can't decide on a shirt. They all look horrible." Summer explained. Larissa nodded carefully and grabbed a top that was nearly at the bottom of the pile and tossed it to Summer. It was a white spaghetti strap tank top that looked a bit like a corset with little hooks on the front. Grabbing her pink blouse to top the outfit, Summer completed her outfit.

Summer looked at Larissa. "I get it." She said. Larissa looked at her blankly. "Get what?" She asked. "You only pretend to be this clueless little brainy girl, when really your this fashion savy chica." Summer grinned. Larissa laughed and rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah, I have a total double life." She joked. "You know, on weekends, I sneak out, go to the local bars, and do my imitations of Cayote Ugly for pocket money." She said. Summer laughed. "Say that to Joey, watch her have a heart attack." Summer laughed. "Right." Larissa giggled. Summer looked at her. "Although, that wouldn't be too bad." She said. "Be nice." Larissa said. "You know how she feels about guys." "That they are all evil and must die, I know, I know." Summer sighed. Larissa shrugged. "Well, her dad totally abandoned her mom when she was just a fetus, causing her to be cynical and man-hating, and I guess Joey agreed with her." Larissa said. "I know, but, doesn't Joey know that not all men are put on this earth to cause pain?" Summer said softly. Larissa looked at her, she knew that deep inside, Summer was slightly afraid of letting Hunter in. The fact that she was being brave and taking the risk was really admirable in Larissa's eyes. "I'm sure Hunter's one of the non-pain-causing males." Larissa smiled. Summer smiled. "I know. I know he cares about me. And I care about him." She said. "Wow." Larissa said.

"You really care about him?" Larissa asked. Summer nodded. "Ya I do. He's sweet, and caring and just all around, perfect basically. I really care about him." Summer confessed. Larissa smiled sweetly. "That's so cute." She said. Summer rolled her eyes and laughed. The doorbell rang in the distance. "Well...He's here." Summer told Larissa. Larissa smiled. "Go get him gurl!" Larissa told her. Summer laughed and ran downstairs to answer the door. The door of fate. Summer got within three feet of the door and smoothed out her jeans and shirt, she tossed the blouse onto the chair and opened the door. There stood Hunter. Dressed in a crimson muscle shirt and a black dressy shirt over it. He also wore a pair of blue jeans. He looked good enough to eat. "Hey Summer." He said smoothly. Summer smiled. "Hey Hunter." She said embracing him and giving him a light kiss on the lips. "Did you pick a movie?" She asked. He nodded and held it out.

"Triple X?" Summer asked. "Yeah, I know, not date movie material, but the action sequences are great." He smiled. Summer laughed softly at how cute he was. "No apologies needed. I've actually been wanting to see it, just haven't gotten a chance to." She said. Hunter smiled. "Well, it's a good thing you have a boyfriend who's obsessed with action movies, then huh?" He asked. Summer laughed. "And a secure one." She said. "What?" He asked. "Well, you've got guts. Most guys wouldn't bring on a first date a movie that has hunky Vin Diesel in it." She grinned. Hunter froze. "Oh man, I knew I should've gotten something else." He muttered. Summer laughed. "Aw, it's OK." She smiled. "Buff guys don't do it for me anyway." She said. "Oh." He said. "Wait a minute...So what does that make me? Flabby?" Summer giggled and got closer to him, putting her arms on his chest. "I prefer the term 'cuddly'." She grinned. "I prefer the term 'cuddly'." She grinned. She gave him a quick kiss on the lips. Hunter looked at her. "I can live with cuddly." He decided. Summer smiled. "Good." She stepped back. "So, why don't you set the movie up, and I'll go make us some popcorn?" She asked. "Sounds good." He said. Summer smiled and headed off to the kitchen.

Summer smiled and headed off to the kitchen. Hunter watched her leave and couldn't help it as a lovesick grin spread over his face. "Hey." Came a voice, startling Hunter, he turned to see Larissa by the stairs. She smiled. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you." Hunter returned her smile. "No, its ok, just-" "Had your mind on other things?" Larissa smirked. Hunter blushed a bit. Larissa walked over. "Listen, Joey's not here, but, knowing her, she'll probably give her 2 cents about you two next time she sees you, and let me tell you, they'll be very negative 2 cents." Hunter nodded. "Thanks for the warning." He said. Larissa shook her head. "It's not a warning. I mean, Joey might be a bit negative. But, I think you guys will be great together. I can see you really care about her." "I do." He said. Larissa smiled. "Good. Well I'm going to just get a soda, then I'll be unseen and unheard for the rest of tonight." She said, heading towards the kitchen. She stopped and looked at Hunter. "By the way, if for some reason I'm wrong, and you end up hurting Summer-" "Joey'll have my head on a stick?" He asked. Larissa smiled. "No, I will." She said, and with that she walked to the kitchen. Hunter gulped and began putting the movie into the VCR and got ready to spend a little "quality time" with Summer.

Summer leaned up against the counter and smiled. Larissa walked in. "I though you were staying out of the way tonight?" Summer scolded playfully. Larissa smiled. "Ya just wanted to get a soda." She told Summer. Summer nodded as Larissa got a can of soda out of the fridge. Summer looked at her. Larissa popped the top and took a sip. "Is it totally pathetic that I'm kind of a little nervous?" Summer asked softly. Larissa looked at her. "Nervous?" She asked. "About...Hunter, and this whole relationship thing.." Summer said. "Oh." Larissa said. "Second thoughts?" She asked. The microwave dinged as it finished cooking the popcorn. Summer took the set of potholders they had and took out the bag from the microwave. She pulled out a bowl and poured the popcorn in it. "No, not that. It's just that.... I don't know, I'm just so worried that I'll say something stupid or something." She said. Larissa smirked. "Then find other things to do with your mouth." Larissa said. Summer laughed and threw a potholder at her. "You got your soda, bye." She said. Larissa giggled as she left the kitchen and went back up to her room.

Shaking her head, Summer shook a little salt over the popcorn and grabbed a bottle of water for herself and a bottle of coke for Hunter. She walked back into the living room and set the bowl and bottles down the table and looked around. Hunter was nowhere to be found. "Strange. I could have sworn he was here." She said to herself. Unbeknownst to her, Hunter was sneaking up behind her. When she had put her hands on her hips, Hunter creped up behind her as close as he could get without touching her and lowered his mouth to his ear and went "boo" quietly. Summer screamed so loudly she could have woken the dead. Larissa came flying down the stairs and skidded to a stop when she saw Summer freaking out, and Hunter laughing like a lunatic on the couch. Shaking her head Larissa went back upstairs and left Summer to her own devices. Summer glared at Hunter. "What was that for?" She demanded. Hunter instantly saw she wasn't pleased and stopped laughing. "Uh..Sorry......I mean......I didn't think it would freak you out that much..." He said. And that was the truth. He had expected her to be just slightly startled and then laugh with him. But she looked like she wasn't anywhere near laughing. Panic filled Hunter as he realized this would probably the shortest date in the history of dates. "I mean, I didn't mean to scare you. I just thought it would be funny." He said. Summer narrowed her eyes. "Well it wasn't." She said. Hunter's jaw hung a bit. "I think you should go." Summer saw the look of horror on his face and burst out laughing, sitting next to him. Hunter stared at her blankly. "I didn't know the end of our date would be so hilarious." Hunter said, standing up, heading to the door. Summer looked at him. And of our date would be so hilarious." Hunter said, standing up, heading to the door. Summer looked at him. "Wait a minute, you can dish out little scare tactics but can't take them yourself?" She asked. Hunter stopped and looked at her. He saw that she had a smile on her face. Suddenly, realization dawned on him. He looked at her. "That was mean." He said. Summer walked over to him and put her arms around his waist. "Well, payback's not supposed to be nice." She stated matter of factly. "You really had me going there." Hunter said. Summer kissed him. "Well you really scared me. I thought it was some deranged psycho or something." She said. "So, next time you want to scare me, how about you just jump out in front of me or some thing. I'd be startled, but at least I'd know it was you." Hunter smiled. "Agreed. And next time you want to scare me, try using something other as threatening the end of us. That's just cruel." He said, turning serious. Summer nodded. "Agreed." She said. Hunter lowered his face to hers and the two kissed again. Summer pulled away. "OK so did you manage to get the movie set up without destroying everything?" She joked. Hunter rolled his eyes causing Summer to laugh again. She grabbed the remote and curled up against Hunter and pressed play.

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Joey walked along the woods alone. She was fuming over Summer and her newly formed relationship with Hunter and needed to walk off some steam. For some reason, the woods she had been in before, where she had her first encounter with Shane seemed to calm her a bit. Maybe the trees and the general atmosphere did something to her, she wasn't sure, and honestly, whatever calming effect the woods had on her wasn't her concern at the moment. Her anger was. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts, she didn't see the guy in red sitting in the spot by the stone stove, but he had seen her. 'Wonderful, just wonderful.' Shane though. 'I try to get away from her, and she follows me here.' His mind growled. He was pissed off that she had shown up here, again. That made him angry. Maybe he'd teach her a lesson she'd never forget. "What are you doing here again? Didn't you learn the first time?" Shane called out to Joey. Joey turned around. "Well well well...if it isn't the resident asshole." She said. Shane smirked, two could play this game. "And look! It's Lucifer's Child!" He retorted. Joey's face darkened. "What did you call me?" Joey asked. Shane was treading on thin ice. "You really should get those ears checked." Shane said. Joey glared at him.

"Drop dead." She said lowly. "I don't have the paitence for your bull now anyway."

"Yet you followed me here." Shane pointed out. "You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you were stalking me." He smirked. Joey scoffed.

"Don't flatter yourself." She said. "Besides, I didn't know you were here. Trust me, if I did, I would've gone some where else." "Well then, see ya." He said. Joey crossed her arms.

"Excuse me, you are not the boss of me. I'll be where I want. You're the one who seems to have a problem with my presence, so why don't you go away?" She said as she sat down by a tree.

"I was here first." Shane said. Joey shrugged.

"Oh well." She said casually. Joey rested her head against the tree trunk and shut her eyes. Shane walked over to her. Joey didn't react.

"I'm serious, I was here first, so you better leave." He said. Joey was silent. Shane growled and went back to where he had been sitting. Joey opened her eyes.

"Oh, I'm sorry, did you say something? I was busy imagining I was in the presence of someone who actually matters." She said in an icy sarcastic tone. Shane swung around and glared long and hard.

"Hey, if your not careful, your ugly face might freeze that way." She told him. That was the last straw. He stalked over to Joey, raised his hand and brought it down across her cheek, slapping her, hard. Joey stumbled and her hand flew to her cheek. "You hit me?" She asked not believing it. Shane nodded. "Watch what you say." He growled. He walked away leaving Joey alone, holding her cheek. Joey glared at him as he walked away; she felt tears in her eyes. He made her cry...Well; he was not going to get away with that. She jumped to her feet and ran after him. Shane turned to face her just as she shoved him to the ground hard. Joey pinned him down and glared at him. "You are no one, nothing, you're a waste of space." She growled. "If you ever touch me again, I'll bash your face in." She threatened. Shane looked up at her and saw there where tears down her cheeks, his face softened a bit, momentarily forgetting this girl had done nothing but be a major bitch to him since he met her. Joey got up and sat by a nearby tree, looking down. Shane sat up. "Did I hurt you?" Shane asked kindly. Joey said nothing.

"Hey? Did I hur-" "I heard you the first time. And why does it matter to you?" She growled. Shane sighed.

"I just wanted to know..." He told her truthfully. Joey's head snapped up.

"I don't think it's any of your business. Shane." She told him. "I...oh forget it. You brought it on yourself." He told her. "Yeah, whatever." She said, wiping at her tears. "That's what everyone says when they asault someone." She said.

"Excuse me?" Shane said. "Let's not forget, you're the one who hit me first last time."

"Well you pissed me off."

"And the notion of just keeping your hands, or legs for that matter, to yourself is totally foreign to you?" He asked. "Well, apparently it is to you." She replied. Shane rolled his eyes.

"Oh no, I am not going to be made the bad guy here. You started this." He said. Joey scoffed. What a typical guy thing to say. Women are the cause of the downfall of everything, right? I mean, first there are Adam and Eve, and now this. Well, my philosophy is this-It's all Adam's fault. He was stupid and took the apple. Eve didn't tempt him."

"How very insightful, anything else?" Shane asked.

"Yeah, pudrate, huebon." She said. Shane looked at her.

"And that means?" He asked. Joey looked at him.

"Screw you, dickhead." She replied. Shane didn't bother to reply. 'I'll be the bigger person and walk away.' He told himself quietly. Joey watched him leave and she went off in the other direction. She didn't know where she was going, but she wasn't staying here, or going home.

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The movie had long ended, but that didn't matter to Hunter and Summer. Their minds, or more correctly, their mouths were too busy to be watching the blank screen. Larissa sat on the stairs taking the occasional photo. 'Perfect blackmail.' She though. She snapped a few more and got bored with the couple and went back to her room.

Hunter and Summer pulled away slightly and Summer put her head in between his head and shoulder and sighed softly. "Tired?" He asked. Summer nodded.

"Ya I am actually. Not tired of you, but just generally tired." She replied. Hunter took her hand. "Come on, show me your room. Then you can go to bed." He told her. Summer smiled and they walked up to Summer's bedroom. Hunter walked into her room, and saw the mattress on the floor.

"Have a bit of difficulty with the bed?" He chuckled softly. Summer laughed.

"I happen to like it that way, thank you very much." She said. Hunter smiled and put his arms around her waist from behind.

"Uh huh, sure." He whispered. Summer leaned into him and laid her head aganist his chest. Hunter nuzzled her neck gently. Summer responded with a soft sigh. "This is nice." She said softly. "Totally regretting not doing this sooner."

"You mean, like the moment I walked in?" Hunter grinned. Summer smiled.

"More like days ago." She said. There was a loud thunderclap outside. Summer and Hunter looked out the window, seeing it had begun to pour outside.

"Whoa, that was sudden." Hunter commented. Summer turned in his arms and faced him. "It's raining." She said. "What kind of girlfriend would I be if I let you walk home in the rain?" She asked innocently.

"What, you want to drive me? Come on, let me be a bit macho, the guy is supposed to drive the girl home." Hunter chuckled. Summer grinned. "Well, I guess you'll have to just stay here then." She suggested. She kissed him softly.

"I thought you were tired." Hunter said.

"Hmmm, I suddenly feel very energetic." She said. The two sat on her bed. Hunter reached over and gently held her hand in hers.

"We're taking things slow, right?" He said. Summer looked at him. She smiled. 'Hmm, guy doesn't leap at the possibility of sex, extra point for Hunter.' She thought. "Right." She said. "So, we better keep this G rated." She grinned. She sat straddling his lap, facing him. Hunter laughed.

"I think we've greatly surpassed G. This is more like PG-13." He said. Summer smiled and kissed him. Hunter attempted to hold Summer and himself up, but failed and fell over, Summer landing on top of him. They laughed hysterically. Summer wrapped her arms around Hunter's neck and smiled. Hunter smiled back. Hunter shifted so that they were laying on their sides. He looked at her.

"You're beautiful." He said softly. Summer kissed him. She yawned softly. Hunter smiled. "You are tired." He said. Summer sighed.

"Guilty." She said. "But, I don't want to go to sleep yet. This day has been so perfect, I don't want it to end." Hunter smiled and kissed her forehead. "Well, tomorrow will be perfect." He said.

"How are you sure?" She asked.

"Because being with you would make even the day of the Apocalypse perfect." He said, giving a warm loving smile. "And besides, I don't like the fact that you could just pass out at any moment now. It'd hurt my ego if I kissed you and you fell asleep." He said. Summer laughed. "OK, OK." She said. "You're staying, right?" She asked.

"I don't think I can leave." He responded. Summer snuggled closer to him.

"Good. Because I intend on keeping you for a while." She said softly as she drifted off to sleep.

Joey walked into the house a little after midnight. She saw Larissa sitting in the living room.

"What are you still doing up?" She asked softly. Larissa looked at her.

"Waiting for you." She stood up. "Stay there, you're soaking." Joey sighed and went to take off her shirt. Larissa stopped her. "Don't."

"What?" "Hunter's here, and before you get all crazy, I've been checking in on them, they're just sleeping, nothing naughty." Joey looked at her.

"Oh." She said. She went to go to her room. Larissa stopped her.

"Just 'oh'? No declaration that Summer's moving to fast? Or Hunter's just waiting to use her or something?" Larissa asked. She paused as she saw a mark on her cheek. "What happened?" She asked. Joey looked away. "I'm really tired." She muttered as she went up to her room, leaving a very puzzled Larissa.

The next morning, Hunter awoke to feel the sun shining through Summer's window. He looked down to see Summer cuddled in his arms asleep. He smiled softly. He looked at his watch and sighed. His shift at Storm Chargers would be starting in an hour. He sat up. The movement stirred Summer out of sleep. She looked up to see him sitting up.

"You're leaving?" She asked, pouting a bit. Hunter looked at her. He leaned over and kissed her. "I don't want to, but I've got work in an hour." He sighed. "I have to go home and change." He said. Summer sighed.

"My shift isn't for another few hours." She said. "We should really think about asking Kelly to adjust our times. I kind of like the idea of working by your side." She grinned. Hunter smiled and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Sounds like a marvelous idea." He said. Summer sat up.

"I'll walk you out." She said. "Hey." Summer said. Joey turned to them. Summer gasped. There was a small bruise on her cheek. "What happened?" She asked. Joey blinked and looked away.

"I fell down." She whispered. Hunter looked at Joey, then at Summer.

"I should go." He said. "I'll see you later." He kissed Summer's cheek and quietly left.

Summer gently shut the door behind Hunter and swung around to face Joey. "What they hell happened Joey? I know that you can't just fall and get a bruise like that." Summer said angrily. Joey shook her head. "I told you I fell!" She exclaimed. Summer put her hands on her hips.

"Your lying Josephine Sanchez, and your not leaving this house, or this room until you tell me what happened." Summer growled. Joey backed away slowly. Summer was angry, not a good thing. 'Might as well tell her and get it over with.' Joey's mind screamed at her. Sighing loudly in defeat, Joey told her.

"Shane slapped me last night when I met him, by accident in the forest."

"WHAT!?!?!?!??!!?" Summer screamed. Larissa heard Summer scream and rushed down.

"What's going on?" She asked. Joey sighed, not wanting to repeat herself. Summer clenched her fist.

"Shane slapped Joey." She snarled. Larissa's eyes widened. She went over to Joey and looked at her. She saw the bruise.

"Oh god, it got worse." She sighed. Summer looked at her. "You knew about it?" Summer exclaimed. Larissa looked at her.

"I saw a mark on her cheek, that's all." Larissa said.

"Why didn't anyone tell me?" Summer said.

"You were sleeping." Joey said. Summer looked at her.

"Well, next time one of you comes home with even just a scratch, wake me up." She said. She went up the stairs. Larissa looked at her.

"Where are you going?" She asked.

"To change, track down Shane, and hurt him, badly." Summer replied, going into her room and slamming the door. Larissa looked at Joey.

"Are you ok?" She asked, worriedly.

"I'm going to go work on some art." Joey muttered as she went down to the basement. Larissa sighed. Summer took a shower and changed into jeans and a pink tank top she grabbed her keys from her dresser and went downstairs. Larissa, who was still in the living room, looked at her.

"Want me to go with you?" She asked. Summer shook her head.

"Stay with Joey." She said as she left the house.

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Hunter finished ringing up someone's purchase. Blake walked up to his brother.

"So, you didn't come home last night." Blake said, non-chalantly. Hunter looked at him.

"Well, since it was raining, Summer asked me to stay over." He said. Blake smirked.

"Yeah, I bet that's the only reason." He said. Hunter punched his brother's arm. The two laughed. The front door of the store burst open. They looked up to see Summer storming in. Hunter smiled.

"Hey." He said. Summer walked over to them.

"Where is he?" She asked, her voice harsh. Hunter and Blake blinked.

"Uh, who?" Blake asked.

"Shane, where the hell is Shane?" Summer said. Hunter and Blake looked at each other. "Uh, I guess, the skate park." Hunter said. "Why, what's wrong?" He asked, his voice filled with concerned.

"Nothing's wrong...Unless you're Shane. I'm going to kill him." She said as she left the store. Hunter looked at Blake.

"Cover for me." He said as he went after his girlfriend. Hunter caught up to Summer as she was about to open her car door. "Hey, what's going on?" He asked. Summer looked at him.

"Hunter, I'm really not in a good mood right now, so, I suggest you not be by me right now. I'm not mad at you, but I don't want my rage to make me say something to you that I wouldn't mean." She said. Hunter looked at her. "Don't worry about me. What's going on? Does this have something to do with Joey?" He asked. Summer sighed.

"Yes!" She exclaimed. "Your asshole friend hit her last night." Hunter blinked.

"They fought the other day, isn't hitting like their way of communication?" He asked.

"Not this time." She said. She got in her car.

"I'm coming with you." Hunter said, rushing to the passenger side. Summer practicly sped to the skate park. When they arrived, she got out quickly. Hunter followed. Summer found Shane with his back to them, talking to some skater guys. She walked over to him. Hunter followed, worried about what was about to happen. Summer finally reached Shane and grabbed his shoulder, spinning him around. He looked at her and gave a friendly smile. "Summer, hey." He said. In a lightening quick movement, Summer brought her hand across his cheek, slapping him hard. The skater guys he was talking to slowly backed away, not wanting to be in the middle of this. Shane touched his cheek and looked at her.

"Ow, what was that for?" He exclaimed. Summer glared at him.

"Just thought you'd want to know how it felt for Joey last night." She said. Shane blinked. He sighed.

"Is she OK?" He asked. Summer scoffed.

"Don't even try to act concerned, asshole." "Hey, don't get mad at me, she started it."

"Oh? Well what did she do?" Summer asked.

"She was being a evil little thing, per usual." He said. "She made some stupid comments, so I slapped her. Then she freaked out on me, crying and everything, and when I tried to be concerned, she called me a dickhead. Your friend is a psychotic bitch." He said. Hunter looked at Shane. 'Oh, he's a dead man.' He thought. Summer looked at Shane. "You think Joey's a bitch?" She asked. She stepped closer to him, and then did something that totally took Shane and Hunter by utter and complete surprise. Summer reached her hand and grabbed his.... well...jewels...She gripped them tightly, causing Shane to cry out in pain softly. "She's nothing compared to me right now." Summer growled.

"Ah! Hunter, get her off me! Get her off me!" Shane exclaimed. Hunter was too shocked to move. "Now listen, you asshole, I can do one of two things, I can let you go, and let you live your life a normal male, or I can turn you from a dickhead to a dick-less wonder in three seconds flat. Do you understand?" She growled, tightening her grip to make sure he saw she meant business.

"Yes! I understand." Shane whimpered. "Good. Now, you are going to go apologize to Joey, right now. And if I hear that it wasn't sincere and nice on your part, or that you laid a finger on her, I'll make sure you will never be able to reproduce. Am I making myself clear?" She asked.

"Y...Yes...Please let go." Shane pleaded. Summer released him and shoved him away, causing him to fall over. Summer walked back to her car. Hunter stared at Summer. He looked at Shane.

"I suggest you go over to Joey right away, I think she meant it." Hunter said. Shane glared at him.

"I kind of figured she did." Shane said, still reeling in pain. Hunter turned and went after Summer. Hunter quickened his pace to catch Summer. She climbed into the car, but left the door open. She put her head in her hands, and her elbows rested on her knees. Hunter kneeled down in front of her. "Hey." She said quietly.

"Hey babe. You ok?" Hunter asked. Summer shrugged. "I've been better. I can't believe I just did that." She laughed. Hunter sobered. "Why did you do that?" He asked gently. Summer looked him dead in the face. "I did it because he hurt one of my best friends. And nobody does that and gets away with it." She told him truthfully. Hunter nodded. "Come-on. We gotta get back to work before Kel notices were gone and she throws a fit." Hunter told her climbing over her and into the passenger seat. Summer started the car. "First can we find some place that sells Liquid Nitrogen so I can burn my hand off for touching Shane's nuts? Please?" She asked, attempting to keep a straight face. Both Hunter and Summer laughed hysterically all the way back to Storm Chargers.

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After Shane's lover self had recovered, he decided it was best to take Hunter's advice. He went over to Joey's house. He knocked on the door. Larissa opened it. She glared at him.

"What do you want?" She said. He saw the same look in her eyes that he had seen in Summer's. He instinctively took a step back. "I need to talk to Joey." He said. "Is she here?"

"Yeah." She said. Shane sighed and went to walk in, Larissa blocked his path. "But what makes you think I'd even let you take a step into this house, let alone in Joey's general direction?" She asked. Shane sighed again.

"I came to apologize." He said. Larissa still didn't move. "OK, I'll tell her you said that." She said, she went to close the door. Shane stopped her.

"Look, Summer just talked to me and has possibly made it so that I will never be able to have children-" He said.

"Hallelujah to that. We don't need little Shane spawns in this world." Larissa said. Shane took a deep breath and continued. ". And if I don't talk to Joey, Summer's probably going to keep my balls in a little jar, now can I please come in?"

"No." She said. "Larissa, I am asking nicely. Please, let me talk to Joey."

"I see that you are working very hard to be polite and nice, well, I'm not. Get off our front porch, or I'll make you."

"Look, you can kick my ass as much as I want, but I'm not leaving until you let me talk to Joey." Shane insisted. Larissa looked at him.

"Fine." She said, stepping aside to allow him entrance. "She's downstairs in the basement. It's the door by the kitchen. Don't trip." She said, although her tone said she hoped he tripped and broke every bone in his body.

"Thanks." He said as he went to towards the basement.

"Oh, and Shane?" She said. Shane stopped walking. "Little jar? I'm thinking more like microscopic." Shane sighed and continued walking. Shane walked down the stairs and saw that the basement had been made into a makeshift art studio. There was a pottery wheel by one of the walls, several bottles of paints stacked on shelves and brushes scattered on a table. He saw Joey painting at an easel with her back to him. Shane stood there and watched her for a bit. He watched her as she carefully painted the details of a landscape with a thin brush that had green paint on it. He realized she was painting a picture of the woods. He stood there, observing her as she put the brush down and picked up another that had blue paint and began painting the sky. Shane didn't know what it was that made him stand there and stare at her as she painted. He just felt fascinated by her movements and how she was working so intently; she seemed to be oblivious to his presence.

Joey put the brush down and reached for the green one again, accidentally knocking over a can of brown paint.

"Damn." She hissed. She went to go get a rag to clean up the mess when she saw Shane. She gasped softly. Shane saw the bruise on her cheek and felt wave after wave of guilt.

"Hey." He said. She looked at him. She looked down and went on with what she was doing. "What are you doing here?" She asked.

"We need to talk." He said.

"I think we've established that talking is impossible. When we talk, we come to blows, and I'm kind of busy right now, how about we reschedule?" She said sarcastically. Shane stepped in and observed her painting. She had done an outline of the trees and logs and the brick stove in light pencil. About half of the grass and parts of the trees, logs and stove where painted.

"Wow, that's really good." He said. Joey stood up from wiping up the paint on the floor and looked at him.

"Thanks. You can leave now." She said. She said, turning back to her painting. Shane looked at her.

"I came to apologize." He said. Joey sighed and turned to look at him.

"Which is it?" She asked.

"Which what is what?" Shane asked.

"What is your reason for apologizing? Is it a. Summer threatened to castrate you if you didn't, b. You felt incredibly guilty for hitting a poor defenseless little girl, c. You've develop a strong undying passionate love for me, and think this will get you in my good graces, d. all of the above?" She asked, smirking at the mention of c.

Shane gave a frustrated groan.

"You know, I'm trying to apologize for last night, the least you could do is-" "Accept?" She asked. "I'm sorry, but for me to accept your apology, that would have to mean I actually give a flying fuck about what you do or say. And, I don't. Frankly I could care less if you went to some cliff and plummeted to your death." She said. She smiled. "Actually, could you do that? Rid the world of one fucking huebon." She said. Shane blinked, actually hurt by her words. "Oh, I've offended you again." She said. "Want to slap me again?" She turned her head, presenting her unbrusied cheek to him. "Do it here, make it even." She said. Shane looked down. "I'm sorry." He said softly. He looked at her. "I'm sorry that apparently something major happened in your life to make you act so cold hearted and uncaring." He said. Joey looked at him. She stepped closer to him.

"Oh, so, because I don't want to listen to your obviously forced apologies, I'm cold hearted and uncaring?" She asked. "No." He said. "It's because you spend so much energy pretending you don't care, but you do." He said.

"What makes you think I care?" She asked.

"Because you were crying last night." He said. "You're scared. Of what, I don't know, but it's something. And whatever it is, it effects you so much that you put up this facade of hating everyone and everything around you, just so no one can enter your little dome of emotions, because then, you just might run the risk of getting hurt." Joey looked at him. She looked away and blinked a few times. "Looks like I'm right." He said. "Is it safe to assume that since your anger seems to be geared towards myself and other males, that whatever it is that happened to you, involves a guy?" He asked. Joey went back to her painting. "Silence, so that's a yes." He said. He walked over to the table that stood between him and Joey. "So, what was it? Unfaithful or abusive boyfriend?" He asked. Joey didn't respond. "Deadbeat dad?" He asked. Joey seemed to flinch slightly at that. Shane noticed it. "Another right one for the Shane-ster." He muttered dryly. "Shane, I think you should leave." She said softly.

"No." He said. "I think this is the longest conversation we've had without coming to blows. I think I want to see how long it goes." He said. He leaned against the table. "You're mad that I've figured you out." He stated. Joey sighed and spun around to face him.

"No, I'm mad because you are fucking annoying and won't leave me alone." She growled. Shane looked at her.

"I'm not going to let you shove me out." He said.

"Shove is so tame. I was thinking more along the lines of hurling you out a window of a tall tall building." She replied. Shane chuckled.

"Funny." He said.

"So glad I've provided your daily amusement." Joey said. Shane cast his eyes over at the painting; he then saw some other paintings and pieces of art around the room.

"You're a really good artist." He commented. He walked over to a drawing lying on a separate table. It was a pencil sketch of a woman sitting, looking pensive. He picked it up. Joey went over.

"Put that down." She ordered. Shane examined the drawing. The woman looked a lot like Joey.

"This your mom?" He asked.

"Yes, now put it down." Joey said. She tried to take it from him. Shane moved it out of her reach. Joey stopped, afraid that in her attempts of snatching it, she might rip it. She looked at Shane. "Please." She said softly. Shane looked at her. He handed the drawing to her. Joey carefully took it and gently laid it back on the table. "It's a beautiful drawing" Shane told her. Joey smiled softly. "Thanks. It's all I have left of her..." Joey replied. Shane looked puzzled. "What happened?" He asked.

"I don't want to talk about it." She told him. Shane decided to leave that for another time. He looked at her.

"You're beautiful when you're not scowling." He said. Joey looked at him so sharply she could've gotten whiplash.

"Excuse me?" She asked.

"Just now, you smiled, you looked beautiful. You should try it more often." He said. Joey looked away to hide her blush as she nervously tucked her hair behind her ear.

"You're such a horrible liar." She said. "I'm not lying." He told her. "It's the truth. If you'd stop scowling long enough, maybe you'd see it too."

Joey glared at him. "I'm not beautiful, I'm not pretty. I'm Joey fucking Sanchez, and I suggest you leave before I kick your ass 6 ways from Sunday." She growled. Shane back ed away slowly. "Fine. But you are very pretty Joey. See ya later." He called practically running from the house. Joey fell into a nearby chair. "Why me? Why me?" She asked out loud.

Larissa saw Shane come up the stairs. She looked at him.

"No limping, no blood or wounds." She said. "And can I expect that the same can be said about Joey?" She asked. Shane looked at her. "We just talked." He said. He went to the door. "See ya." He said as he left. Larissa sighed. She went to sit back down, then thought better of it and went downstairs. She saw Joey sitting in a chair.

"Did he say do anything? Cause if he did, Summer and I will kill him." She said. Joey looked at her. "No...He just wanted to apologize. Which he did." Joey replied. Something was different about the way Joey had replied to Larissa's question...normally she would curse up a storm about guys...but today she didn't Larissa shrugged it off. "You ok?" She asked Joey, who nodded silently. "Ok well I'll be upstairs, I'll be there if you want to talk." She told Joey, who just nodded silently again. Larissa walked up the stairs, shaking her head.

Shane walked away from the house. He was kind of surprised at the turn of events. He came into the house feeling nothing but dislike for Joey. In the course of their conversation, he had managed to leave that and feel something else...Something he hadn't felt since...Skyla. Shane stopped in his tracks. 'I like her? No, no way, of course not...Even if I did say she was beautiful...Well she is...Aw shit'. "Why me? Why me?" He said aloud.

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Summer rang another few customers in at the register. Smiling gently when the last customer left. She lifted herself up onto the counter and leaned against the wall. She was tired again. She figured she and Hunter would be doing something tonight. Maybe he could help her set up her room. Heck maybe she'd ask Hunter for a nice back massage.

Hunter walked out of the backroom and saw Summer leaning against one of the pillars, eyes closed. She looked so peaceful while she was sleeping. Hunter walked over to her. He stood against the counter, gazing at her, when suddenly his communicator went off. Hunter looked at it, and cursed the damn contraption for distrusting his thoughts. The sound stirred Summer awake. She looked at him and blinked.

"Hey." She said, smiling softly. Hunter looked at her and gave her a smile.

"Hey." Summer saw a perturbed look on his face. "Something wrong?" She asked. Hunter sighed.

"I've actually have to go somewhere, really quick. I'll be right back, I promise." He said. Summer eyed him suspiciously.

"Mysterious outings? You wouldn't happen to have another girlfriend, would you Mr. Hunter Bradley?" She asked. Hunter gently pulled her close to him and gave her a hot passionate kiss. Once they parted, Summer was still recovering from it. Hunter smiled.

"I'll be back soon." He said, climbing over the counter and heading out the door. Summer looked at him. "You didn't answer my question." She said. Hunter turned to look at her.

"I'll see you later." He said as he disappeared out the door. Summer smiled.

Blake was with Tori. They needed to talk about their kisses from yesterday. It had happened so fast and it was sort of left up in the air.

"So, about yester-" Blake began to say when his communicator went off. 'Damn.' He thought. "We better go." Tori said. Blake nodded. They headed to Ninja Opts. 'Cam, if this is another glitch, I swear on all that is holy, I will kill you.' Blake thought.

Shane was standing in the middle of the road when his communicator went off. Growling at it he looked around and streaked as fast as he could to Ninja Ops.

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Dustin, Hunter and Shane arrived at the same time and walked in together, about two minutes later Blake and Tori walked in together. The assembled around the computer where Cam and Sensei were. "Rangers we have a problem" Sensei began. "It seems there's a monster attacking in the forest not far from here. You'll need to stop it before it reaches the city." The rangers nodded.

Shane looked at the other two Wind Rangers, Thunder Rangers and Cam, The Samurai Ranger, who all nodded back at him. "Ready?" He asked. "Ready!" They all replied.

Ninja Storm,

Thunder Storm,

Samurai Storm,

Ranger Form, HA!"

They all appeared in the forest and saw Motodrone, Vexacus, Shimazu and a monster that looked like a huge teddy bear. Shane growled lowly at Vexacus

"You." He said. "I thought I chased you back to your mommy." He said. Vexacus stepped up.

"It is good to see you too, red ranger. I will enjoy destroying you, and taking the Karminion power from you." "Don't think so." He said. Motodrone eyed Hunter.

"We meet again, Crimson ranger." He said, chuckling.

"I'll take Mr. Fish head." Shane said, and before anyone could say anything, he and Vexacus went off and fought alone. Motodrone and Hunter did the same.

"Guess that leaves Shimazu and fuzzy wuzzy to us." Tori said. "I have no interest in fighting you children." Shimazu said. "I seek a worthy opponent." He looked at Cam.

"I'll take care of him." Cam said as he went to fight Shimazu.

Tori, Dustin and Blake began to circle the "teddy-bear monster" as they had dubbed it. "Can't they ever come up with 'good looking' monsters?" Whined Tori. The teddy bear made a grab for her, but got a handful of air instead. Tori cackled madly, but wasn't as lucky the next time. The monster grabbed at her again and chucked her across the forest. She bounced a few times and landed awkwardly, not moving. "Tori!" Blake cried. Two girls, dressed in black and orange uniforms appeared beside Tori and lifted her up, carrying her away. The monster stumbled to reveal a girl dressed in a pink uniform similar to Blake and Hunter's. "Hullo." She chorused while kicking some serious monster ass. The guys just stared at her.

"Is that.." Dustin began.

"Another thunder ranger." Blake said.

"You never told us there were three of you." Dustin said, looking at him.

"I've never seen her in my life." Blake said.

"How about a hug?" The monster said, coming toward the pink ranger. The Black ranger streaked over. Her uniform was black with silver flames dancing along her legs and arms.

"How 'bout you take a big sleep." She said as she kicked it in the head. "Ouch my head." Moaned the teddy bear. The ranger dressed in orange came streaking over and managed to trip the monster, her uniform was similar to Cam's but instead of being green, it was orange. Her Armour was silver and gold and looked flashy. The girls took out their weapons and blasted the crap outta the monster, destroying it. The girls high fived each other.

Blake looked at the three rangers. The orange one turned to him.

"Your friend's all right by the way." She said.

"We just thought it was best we moved her out of the line of fire." The black one added. Blake turned to see Tori slumped over by a tree. He quickly went over to her. Cam, Hunter and Shane arrived. "Shimazu, Motodrone and Vexacus went away." Cam said. He stopped as he saw the three rangers. "Uh..." Shane and Hunter looked at each other.

"You know 'em?" Hunter asked.

"No, you?"

"Uh uh." "Uh...who are you?" Hunter asked. The girl in pink stepped forwards. "I'm the Pink Thunder Ranger, the girl in orange is the Orange Lightning Ranger, and the girl in Black is the Black Fire Ranger." "What are your real names?" Shane asked. The Black Ranger stepped up.

"Now, why would we want to go and tell our secret identities?" She asked coyly.

"You tell us yours, we'll tell you ours." Shane said. The Black Ranger laughed softly. "Well, where's the fun in that? Don't you know it's a woman's job to be mysterious?" She responded, somewhat flirtatiously. Shane stared at her. She put her weapon into her holster. "Let's go girls." She said. The orange ranger looked at Blake, who was carrying the unconscious Tori. "Hope your friend's OK." She said. And with that, she streaked away.

"See ya." The Pink Ranger said as she too streaked away.

"Yeah, see ya, Big Red." The Black Ranger said to Shane as she streaked away.