Something to Fight For

Focus Fiasco

"Come on! One little fire," Chase cried.

"That could've burned down the entire museum," Kendall reminded him.

"Not to mention expose our base," Shelby said.

"Come on, guys, he's already apologised, what more do you want him to do? Grovel?" Adelaide asked, coming to Chase's defence. He was her best friend, after all, and he would've been there for her if the situation was reversed.

"He needs to be held accountable for his actions," Kendall said.

"Isn't he doing that?" Adelaide asked. "I mean, he hasn't denied trying to destroy the museum, and like he said, it was an accident and no one got hurt."

Kendall sighed and Chase put his hand on Adelaide's shoulder as he stood up. He was grateful for her defense, but he didn't want nor need for her to get into trouble on his behalf. "Look, I get it, OK," he said. "I promise to pay more attention to - Moana!" he gasped as he spotted a familiar elderly woman at the entrance to the cafe.

Adelaide twisted in a circle as Chase rushed around her, and engulfed the woman in a hug. She had heard stories about a Moana, but she had yet to meet her. Until now.

"How are you?" Chase asked. "It's been a long time."

"Chase, I need your help," Moana said, holding him at arm's length. She glanced at the others, and then led him aside.

"What is it?" Chase asked.

"I've had a vision," Moana said. "And... and someone is going to steal from me... something of great value."

Noticing his friend's anxious looks, Chase glanced in their direction. "Moana is a matakite," he explained. "A Maori fortune teller from New Zealand."

"I need you to guard my shop!" Moana said, grabbing Chase and turning his attention back to her.

"Really?" Shelby scoffed. "Chase is going to guard it?"

"I hope you have a fire extinguisher," Kendall added. The others laughed at the reference, whilst Adelaide rolled her eyes.

"What about the police?" Chase asked.

"Oh, they think I'm crazy," Moana said, chuckling. "You have a special strength, Chase," she said, reaching for the energem around his neck, putting his friends on alert. "Only you can help me."

Grinning, like an idiot, Chase agreed. "Well, okay," he said, allowing Moana to take him by the hand and lead him to the exit. He paused and turned back to his friends. "I can handle this," he said, tripping over the dinosaur mouth on his way out.

xXx

Even though the incident in the kitchen had been a minor one, and dealt with quickly. The Rangers figured it was easier to keep the cafe closed, and lock up early. This gave them enough time to clean up and make sure everything was ready for another day tomorrow. So, whilst Riley, Tyler, and Koda cleaned the kitchen, Shelby and Adelaide cleaned down the shop floor. Sliding unwanted drink cartons, and food baskets into a black bag that they had on them.

"This is disgusting," Adelaide said picking up a half eaten a burger and tossing it in the trash. "Not to mention a waste of money. Seriously, why buy something if you're going to leave half of it?"

"Maybe he hadn't finished when we rushed him out?" Shelby asked.

"He could've taken it with him," Adelaide replied. "He had paid for the burger after all."

Shelby smiled and shook her head. "You almost done?" she asked.

"Almost," Adelaide said, moving onto another table. It was the last one she had to clean and then Shelby could wipe the table tops down. Tying the rubbish bag after adding the last food basket to its contents, Adelaide carried the bag into the kitchen and deposited outside the back door. "When's trash pick up?" she asked, coming back inside.