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"Sacrifice"

"So, whatcha gonna do about it, dude?" Dustin inquired as he took off his racing helmet, shaking his shaggy dark hair free of any sweat produced from his active racing. He and Hunter were at the track, giving Hunter what girls might call 'retail therapy', but what had been renamed 'adrenaline therapy for those in deep shit', according to Shane. "You can't just do nothing!"

He looked behind him and saw Hunter's crimson bike empty. Ahead, on a spare patch of grass over-looking the track, sat the elder Bradley brother, musing.

"Dude, did you hear what I just said?" he said in an annoyed tone, and joined Hunter on the ground. He looked troubled. "Just because you beat me doesn't mean you can ignore me. I'm trying to help." Dustin's voice echoed with mock sadness, but it didn't have any effect on the brooding blonde guy to his left.

He was staring onto the track, completely lost in his thoughts. Rain began to trickle through the clouds, landing gracefully all around them. It was reasonably atmospheric. Dustin didn't dare speak again, for fear that his best friend would lash out at his, spitting swearwords and curses into his face. He'd been known to do that sometimes due to his varying temper. Often, he was quiet and reserved, sometimes happy, but only rarely was he really angry. Today he seemed confused, vulnerable and scared, something which was even rarer to see.

All of a sudden, Hunter turned to Dustin, his eyes filled with regret, threatening tears at any point. "Why though?" he asked simply, slightly breathless, as though it hurt him to say it.

"Why what, man?"

Hunter's head snapped back forwards, his gaze once again on the track, which was fast emptying due to the rain becoming heavier, the water droplets falling faster with every passing minute. It was almost as though the weather was reflecting Hunter's mood; lonely, depressed and cold.

"When I finally get Tori to notice me, when I manage to pluck up the courage to make the first move, Blake has to be thrown back into the picture frame." He sighed, but he was still hushed, his voice soft and questioning. "And, the worst thing, I have to be the older brother who can't bear to see his younger brother hurt because of me. Me and my bloody morals."

Swearing count: one. Good so far. It could get worse though, Dustin reminded himself, a lot worse. He hadn't resorted to effin' and blinding just yet, thank the heavens. But, he could even go for one of those races, in which he wouldn't care about rules, just joy in the speed and adrenaline of the moment…except for when he'd crash and be badly injured. He hadn't killed himself yet, which was a huge relief.

"Okay, let's put this into perspective," began Dustin, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, and sounding oddly wise and knowing, "look outside the square; look at the bigger picture…You see what I'm getting at?" Hunter shook his head firmly. Dustin sighed. "On a scale of one to ten, how much do you love Blake?"

Hunter rolled his eyes. "A good ten, I suppose."

"And you've known him for pretty much your whole life, am I right?" The ex-yellow ranger continued masterfully.

"Yeah…meaning what?"

Dustin leant in closer. "And how much do you think you love Tori, on a scale of one to ten?"

The blonde thought carefully, and but couldn't really come to a conclusion. If he said less than ten, it would mean he'd have to watch Blake woo Tori again, which could prove heartbreaking. If he said 'ten' for Tori, it'd prove nothing, only that he'd be back to square one; undecided.

"Honestly, dude, I don't know."

Dustin patted Hunter on his arm comfortingly. "Listen, I know hard this is for you, but in truth, you can't have both. Heard the saying 'you can't have everything you want'? Well, this is it. Many guys have been in your situation; pick your brother, or your brother's girlfriend. It just sucks that this girlfriend is one of your closest friends too. You can't really win either way…" His voice trailed off, wondering if he'd said too much, or whether it had actually had an effect on Hunter. "You and I both know that Tori really likes you, more than she lets on sometimes. And we know from your telephone conversation with Blake that he still loves her. In the end, if you choose to try and develop a relationship with Tori, you and Blake will be fighting for her affections, and she'll have to choose one or the other, which isn't fair on her."

The former crimson ranger didn't say anything.

"I wonder," continued Dustin (he was on a roll by this time), "if Blake would sacrifice Tori and his happiness for you if he knew that you were in love with her? I mean, we'd like to think he would, as he's not a bad guy, but something tells me he's in too deep for that. Or is he?" Dustin massaged his forehead. "Man, this thinking thing hurts…Ahem, anyway: does Blake know if you've ever had a thing for Tori? At all? Even just the slightest school-boy crush?"

Hunter was still silent, but Dustin was sure he was taking this all in and processing it in his mind. Suddenly, his head snapped to face Dustin.

"You heard the saying 'all's fair in love and war'?" he asked with a grin slowly forming on his face. To Dustin's shocked expression Hunter simply said, "You're right; Blake probably wouldn't give up Tori for me. I want a chance to be with the only girl I've ever had real feelings for. He left her behind. Blake's had his chance, and I want mine."

"Dude, are you sure about this?" Dustin asked worriedly. "I mean, this could have some serious consequences!"

Hunter laughed, brushing Dustin's comment aside. "But if Tori really has feelings for me, it means she must be over Blake! And I'm not going to give her up if it's me she wants."

Dustin nodded his head slowly, seeing Hunter's view. "Okay then. It's settled."

"Sure as hell it is. Sacrifice is not an option."

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When is Blake coming back?

What will Tori think of all this?

Will Shane and Cam ever show up??

Will you review?